841D.01/235: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 26—9:54 p.m.]
715. In answer to your 429, January 17, 8 p.m., I sent you my message 599 January 21, 9 p.m.1 I had a long talk with Lord Cranborne2 this noon. He tells me that he approves bur approach to Eire on the subject of Axis representatives in Eire. He also believes the War Cabinet will support his recommendation on this subject.
It is his understanding that we would base our request to De Valera3 on our concern for the lives of our soldiers. He feels that the British should support us in a separate note sent simultaneously explaining that the United States has informed them of our action and that the British Government is in agreement with the position taken by us. It would be helpful to the British to see the wording of our message in order to formulate their supporting statement.
Since there are certain secret security arrangements between Eire and the British Government the timing of any publicity given to an interchange of this character is of concern to the British Government and might affect the safety of our forces in the British Isles because De Valera’s reaction to such an approach is uncertain and existing arrangements have been made with his approval and support. The British Government would want to be informed in advance in order to prepare for exigencies that might arise in consequence of our issuing a statement in regard to De Valera’s possible refusal to cooperate in protecting the movements of our troops.
- Neither printed; the Department requested the views of Ambassador Winant and those of the British Government regarding the presence of Axis diplomatic representatives in Ireland (841D.01/224, 841D.01/234).↩
- British Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.↩
- Eamon de Valera, Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩