No. 224 NAI DFA 1/56A
Dublin, 1 June 1934
In1 the course of a telephone conversation yesterday Sir Harry Batterbee mentioned that they in the Dominions Office had seen the proposals under the Nationality Bill. They were not anxious to say or do anything which might, particularly at the present moment, appear contentious. His remark he said was confidential but he was lengthy and given a little to his habit of 'throwing jets of darkness on a field of light'. What I gathered was that he would like me to let you know confidentially that the silence on their part does not mean acquiescence.
[signed] J.W. Dulanty
High Commissioner