Volume 7 1941~1945


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 272  NAI DFA Secretary's Files P2

Dearg code telegram from Joseph P. Walshe to Robert Brennan (Washington)
(No. 53)

DUBLIN, 11 March 1943

Your tel. 491 and minute N. 43.2 the Taoiseach feels any messages from him or Cardinal in present circumstances would only give opportunity to anti-Irish elements for further controversy. Increasing friendly relations with State Department encouraged in every way by you and by us here the only effective course. Taoiseach not disturbed by two recent articles which are so patently venomous and propagandistic. Both derive from same unfriendly source in the park.3 Is it still impossible to get somebody sent here of the type of Hayes in Madrid who would foster good relations between the two peoples instead of bedevilling them?4

1 Not printed.

2 Not printed.

3 A reference to David Gray, United States Minister to Ireland. Gray's residence was in the Phoenix Park.

4 Carlton J. H. Hayes (1882-1964), United States Ambassador to Spain (1942-5). Considered by some to be too friendly with Franco, Hayes nevertheless is credited with preventing Franco from siding with the Axis.