Volume 3 1926~1932


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 316 NAI DFA Vatican Embassy 14/45/1

Code telegram from Charles Bewley to the Department of External Affairs (Dublin)
(Copy)

Rome, 11 December 1929

I have just interviewed Mgr. Ottaviani re title of King in credential[s]. He says that your suggestion would be contrary to usage and insists on having name of country. He suggests in Latin King and Emperor of the British Dominions. I expressed some doubt whether this would be acceptable. He offered to get the Monsignore actually charged with composition of credentials to submit three or four formulae to me. Please send me direction as to what would be the least objectionable form of title, as it is much easier to object to his suggestions when I can make positive suggestion on behalf of Government. I will try again to get title omitted, but do not anticipate that he will agree. He said that it must be in a form that would offend nobody, and unless the British Government gave its consent to your suggestion I do not believe the Vatican will agree to it.