841D.24/27: Telegram
The Minister in Ireland ( Gray ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 12—10:50 a.m.]
81. Department’s No. 57, August 28, noon. The Irish Premier has explained to me the urgent need of at least 20,000 rifles. There appears to be no immediate prospect of obtaining these from the allotment [Page 166] sold to Canada. He has been informed of the possibility of another lot being made available shortly from which Lothian and Purvis suggest to Brennan Irish requirements might be supplied. De Valera asks me to convey to the President his hope that delivery of at least 20,000 may be made possible without delay in view of critical possibilities of which the President is fully aware.