Sir:
I am instructed by the Government of the Republic of Ireland, which I have the honour to represent, to express to you on behalf of the people of Ireland, who have themselves just emerged from the horrors of a cruel and barbarous war, their deep gratification that you have taken the initiative in calling a conference of nations for limitation of armaments, and their ardent hope that its deliberations may bring the world nearer to that peace which they so earnestly desire.

I am also directed by my Government to notify you, and through you the other members of the forthcoming conference upon limitation of armaments, to be held in Washington on November 11, 1921, that the delegates of Great Britain do not represent Ireland and that the Republic of Ireland will not be bound by any understandings, covenants, or contracts which may be entered into by the British delegates.