800.515/9–2145: Telegram
The Minister in Ireland (Gray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:41 p.m.]
200. Supplementing my 197.39 In view of contemplated action as to German personnel in Eire by Allied Control Council important that you and our representative on Council should clearly understand position resulting from separate British approach in regard to repatriation of German military internees and ten interned spies. We were informed of this action as reported to you in our 142, June 13, and 149 June 22 but not consulted and our understanding is that it was purely British démarche and not in name of United Nations. This appears to be violation of principle of cooperative action which is basis of our reconstruction of Germany and presents us with specific situation about which joint decision should be taken without delay. Seven of the eight military internees who broke parole 6 weeks ago are still at large indicating lack of interest on part of Eire Government in their apprehension. But we or United Nations can do nothing but request British to press for action. Furthermore, the British arranged an undertaking with Irish Government by which Eire agreed to hold the ten spies in custody until British Government assented to release. Their release, therefore, rests exclusively with British Government and not with Allied Control Council.
Could not we request British to regard their action as a tentative expedient pending resolution adopted by Allied Council and subject to be taken over by Council. Otherwise de Valera will continue to deal with British on separate basis and rift in Allied solidarity on which he counts will have occurred.
Sent Department as 200 repeated London as 51.
- Dated September 20, 1945, not printed.↩