-
That Consuls and Diplomatic Agents be appointed by Dail to the
following Countries, viz., Russia, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany,
Denmark, Switzerland, and that four Diplomatic Agents be appointed for the cities
of Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco and Boston to act as organising
directors of Irish opinion in these areas. That these Agents should be directed
from Washington to ensure constant communication, and that they should
submit weekly reports in triplicate to Washington, one copy of which would
be forwarded to the Dail Ministry. That the Dail should choose thirty names
from which the President might select these Agents as occasion arose, and that
their salary be about $100 per week.
The Ministry are in accord with this proposal, which they will
recommend to the Dail at an early date. They will request the Dail to select thirty
persons from amongst whom you would appoint the Agents as required, and they
will ask that the necessary allocation for the purpose be made. They agree that
for the present these Agents should be directed from Washington, but it may
be subsequently found desirable to transfer the seat of direction either to
Ireland or to the Continent of Europe.
-
That a Delegation should be despatched to Russia immediately to
seek formal recognition of the Government of the Irish Republic, and that
Mr. Thomas Johnston should be included in the Mission.
The Ministry agree with the proposal to send a Delegation to Russia
without delay, but they consider that some time would necessarily elapse between
the arrival of the Delegation and the presentation of the formal demand
for Recognition. They understand from Mr. Boland that you will likely present
a formal demand for recognition to the President of the United States in
the early Autumn, and they are of opinion that this demand should be made
before similar demands are made in other Countries, and that, when the
proper moment arrives for the presentation of the formal demand in other
countries, it should, as far as possible, be simultaneous. They feel that a demand
for recognition made to Russia prior to a similar demand being made in any
other country might be availed of by British Propagandists to misrepresent
the Government of Ireland, and might militate against the success of such
demands in other countries. This argument does not, of course, affect the desirability
of having the Delegation to Russia despatched at the earliest possible
moment, and the Ministry will recommend this proposal to the Dail for
favourable consideration.
-
That a Director of Propaganda be sent to the United States to supply
material for the Agents referred to in paragraph (1), and that the services of Mr.
R. O'Brennan be made available for the purpose.
The Ministry understand that this proposal was made principally
because it was the opinion in the United States that communications between
Ireland and other Countries were much more restricted than they really are.
The Ministry think that their propaganda could, for the present, be more
efficiently carried on from Dublin, as far as the Continent of Europe is concerned,
but they do not exclude the possibility of its being considered desirable, with
the development of their Propaganda Department, to send a man to the United
States in connection with this work. They understand that
propaganda requirements in the United States and in South America and Australia are
being satisfactorily catered for from the United States.
While on this subject, the Ministry would be glad if you would
consider making a proposition to Mr. Hearst that he should establish an Office in
Dublin of equal status with his London Office which would collect and distribute
news from Ireland. This, in their opinion, would be a great advantage, as
accurate versions of occurrences could thus be speedily and reliably transmitted,
and the present Castle control of news messages thereby discounted.
- That the President be empowered to utilise one million dollars to
secure Recognition.
The envoy having explained the details of this proposal the Ministry
will recommend to the Dail to give you discretionary powers in regard to
the expenditure of the sum mentioned.
- That one million dollars be placed at the disposal of the Department
of Defence.
The Ministry are in thorough agreement with the proposal and will ask
the Dail to make an appropriation accordingly.
- That Mr. Erskine Childers be asked to take the post of Ambassador to
the United States.
The Ministry realise the importance of the post of Ambassador to the
United States and the suitability of Mr. Erskine Childers for the position, but they
fear that, owing to the loss of Mr. Barton, he is at present too valuable an asset
to the constructive side of their work here to be allowed to leave Ireland.
They will endeavour to find some other suitable person for the United States
Embassy, but they hope that they may find it possible in time to spare Mr. Childers
for this post.3
- Mr. Boland explained to the Ministry that you desired their direction as
to whether you should return home or proceed on a tour to South America.
They are of opinion that you should not return home just now. They feel that
your presence in the United States at the present juncture is of more
importance than a visit to South America, but they have, of course, no objection
whatever to such a tour, if you think your presence in the States can be spared for
the necessary time. They, however, desire to refer to the necessity of taking
due precaution for your personal safety in the event of such a tour being
undertaken. They have authorised Mr. Boland to procure a Secretary for you, and the
data as to the constructive work of the various Departments of the
Government, with particular reference to actions tending to show that it was assuming a
'de facto' status, are being prepared for him.
-
Arrangements are also being made to secure the services of two
Clerk Accountants for the Bond Office in New York, and the Secretary for
Finance4 will supply Mr. Boland with details of the means of transmitting money
to Ireland.
With regard to the query as to the amount of money required to
be transmitted, the Ministry wish to say that this amount could not be accurately
estimated at present. Large schemes in connection with Land, Fisheries,
and other urgent problems are at present under consideration, and the amount
of money required will be contingent upon the extent to which these schemes
are adopted. Meanwhile, however, the Secretary for Finance is of opinion
that arrangements might be made for the immediate transmission of £500,000.
- The suggestion that Mr. O'Connell, the Hearst correspondent, should
be seen is being attended to. Representations will be made to Dr.
Fogarty5 in connection with the invitation to be extended to him from Chicago. With
regard to the suggestion that Mr. George Russell should be asked to make a
lecture tour through America, the Ministry have, as yet, been unable to consult
him about the matter as he is away from Dublin. They will have his views on
this proposal ascertained, but they fear that he will not be likely to consent to
leave Ireland.
- The Dail has decreed that all its members, clerks, officials and
employees shall take an oath of allegiance to the Irish Republic in the following terms :-
'I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I do not and shall not yield a
voluntary support to any pretended Government Authority or power within
Ireland hostile and inimical thereto, and I do further swear (or affirm) that to the
best of my knowledge and ability I will support and defend the Irish Republic
and the Government of the Irish Republic which is Dail Eireann against all
enemies foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same,
and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose
of evasion so help me God.'