Dear Sir Edward Harding,

Thanks for your letters of the 22nd and 31st August regarding the proposed appointment of Irish Free State Ministers at Paris and Berlin.

I must apologise for the delay in replying, but I have been very busy both before my departure from Dublin and since my arrival here.

We are sending you an official despatch stating the amendments which we consider necessary in the wording of the note.¹

We think that it should be made clear in the note that the Irish Minister should deal with all matters which affect the Irish Free State and that there should be an intimation on his right of action, such as is implied in paragraph 2 of the note. This, I think, you will agree is the only position consistent with the principle of equal status propounded by the Imperial Conference.

When I learnt from your letter of the 31st August that this question had been discussed by Mr. Mackenzie King and Lord Cushendun, we mentioned the matter to the Canadian Delegation here and gathered that they were in entire agreement with the amendments we propose. It would not appear to be necessary to wait until the exact form of the note is agreed upon before approaching the French and German Governments.

I understand that in the case of the Canadian Minister to Paris, the intention of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries was officially published before formal notes were exchanged.

We are extremely anxious to announce the establishment of these Legations at the earliest possible date, and would be very glad if this question could be dealt with at once.