741D.62115/7–1645: Telegram
The Minister in Ireland (Gray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:05 p.m.]
166. Your 113, July 7. Irish reply to British representative regarding unconditional surrender of German interned military personnel requested and promised for July 10 has not been received. External Affairs represents de Valera as too absorbed in constitutional question of declaration of Irish Republic to give promised answer but expect it by July 20. Appreciate your 113 which clarifies our understanding as to various categories of Germans to be requested. Also thanks for helpful instructions as to line to take with Eire Govt. After consultation with British colleague it seems wise not to make approach till after reply as to military personnel is received. I would then take up with de Valera the question of our two programs in the light of his reply to military personnel question.
British colleague appears to regard status of the 10 interned German agents to be held in Irish confinement at pleasure of British Govt preferable to their surrender on conditions. Naturally any conditions not approved by our Russian ally would be unacceptable but I have told him that I could not recommend that we subscribe to view that their offense was against Irish State as one [alone?] and not the United Nations also. They came as enemy agents to assist in the German war effort on neutral soil and may fairly be construed as members of Nazi conspiracy against existence of United Nations. As set forth in my 160, July 9, 6 p.m.23 there is reason to believe that Irish Govt refuses to release them because of possibility of revelations involving Irish nationals now at large. Interrogation of such persons would be pertinent to Safehaven objectives.
Next last paragraph of your 113 answers our request for a considered joint plan of action in the case of more or less general Irish refusal of our demands. Maffey and I agree that it seems that such action would properly apply to Irish refusal whether in whole or part to all requests whether British or American or joint. We feel that one strong general statement would be preferable to more than one.
- Not printed.↩