740.00115 EW/6–2245: Telegram
The Minister in Ireland ( Gray ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:55 p.m.]
149. ReLegtel 142, June 13. Brit colleague informs me that pursuant to his instructions he has requested surrender of German military personnel interned here for repatriation, also of German secret service agents now in confinement. Irish Govt has assented to request for military personnel but refused to give up spies alleging their offense is against Irish Govt.
I told Maffey he had assured me he had firm offer of surrender of spies and that I had so reported to you. He said offer was based on assurance proposed by him that status of spies would not be worse in Brit hands than in Eire. That is they might be kept in prison but would not be executed. This proposed assurance his Govt had refused to sanction. I told him he had not made this condition clear to me. He said he was sure he had mentioned the condition to me. I said it was of course possible but I had not understood it. I told him that what I had forecast has now come to pass and I feared he would accept military personnel as compromise and waive possession of agents who would have important information to give our intelligence. He said the matter was now in the hands of his Govt. I said that I should report compromise which waived spies as unsatisfactory that I would recommend to my Govt waiver of unconditional surrender and acceptance [Page 793] of assurances that spies would not be executed as preferable. I further expressed opinion that the reason given by the Irish Govt for refusing request as to spies was disingenuous and that even with assurances of not executing he would not obtain them. Our conversation was frank but entirely friendly.
The action of Irish Govt would seem to bear directly on the instructions in your 102, June 11.14a We feel it would have been best to treat the whole matter in one negotiation but since it is now too late for this would recommend restudy of proposals as regards Eire with consideration of definite course to be taken if met with non-acquiescence which I would predict. It would seem mistake to have to swallow more refusals by de Valera Govt.