Before taking action on your telegram 214¹ I beg to offer the following observations. Recently certain South American representatives here had been instructed by their Government to protest against shooting of hostages, their action was very badly received by German Government. At Press Conference it was pointed out this matter was entirely for German Army who must maintain order in occupied territories and take necessary steps to ensure that the shooting of German soldiers will cease. In my opinion there is danger that intervention on behalf of L.[eon] might be regarded as interfering in internal German matters where no Irish citizen is involved and might even have some effect on our good relations. I beg to suggest if Department feels we should intervene case might be mentioned to German Minister in Dublin. Please telegraph your observations.²