With regard to the attached papers from the Department of Foreign Affairs, I greatly fear that the manner of submitting this Report shows an entire lack of the importance of the subject itself.

The extract from Count O'Byrne's report is really inexplicable to me. From it I gather that an effort has been made to secure official recognition of our Envoy by the Vatican. A copy of the request which was submitted is not sent, and therefore I do not know the form of the request.

In my estimation it is important that this matter should be sifted and a full account of all the details rendered.

It does appear to me that Count O'Byrne's action was singularly ill-timed, but before going into the matter I should like to see a copy of the request itself.

In dealing with these papers please see that they are kept intact.