Dear Seán,

Just a note to say that I met Officer of Australia in the street today. I mentioned to him that all Geneva has is that the P. is going to be Pres. - which is literally true - and he said that he heard in London yesterday that it was desired to give the Presidency to Beneš, as the Pres. of Czech. is dying and it will be B's last time at the Assembly. Rather an undiplomatic version. This nomination would be more serious than that of Politis especially if backed by G. Britain and France as it would probably draw the Balkan Entente as well as the Little Entente. The Turks however and the Greeks evidently know nothing about it, as I met those Ministers last night near 12 and the T. said off his own bat that he was glad that the Pres. would probably be elected - a most suitable choice. The whole atmosphere here is for the P. amongst officials as well as the local delegates but unfortunately it is the Heads of Delegations who will settle the matter when they arrive! However it will take a very strong candidate to counter the present atmosphere. Some people think that the Presidency might cramp the P's style!