In accordance with An Taoiseach's instructions I saw the King's Private Secretary, Sir Alexander Hardinge, at Buckingham Palace on Thursday last, an earlier appointment not being possible owing to his being out of London.

I told him that I brought a personal message from An Taoiseach for transmission to the King. It was a personal satisfaction to An Taoiseach that a settlement had been brought about. Whilst that settlement was only partial, inasmuch as the question of Partition had not yet been reached, it did mark a step forward towards the attainment of that full friendship and complete goodwill between the Irish and the British peoples which An Taoiseach had publicly declared to be one of his principal political aims.

An Taoiseach would have liked, I explained, when in London at the close of the negotiations to have called upon the King. Such an action at this stage was, however, not possible. Instead of still further improving the relations between us it would have an exactly opposite effect. But he was not without hope that the day would come when he could visit the King who would, he felt sure, understand that there was no personal element in his not calling at present.

Sir Alexander Hardinge said he would convey An Taoiseach's message to the King immediately.