The German Minister called on me to-day.

He informed me of the friendly attitude of the German Government towards Ireland and of their intention to respect Ireland's neutrality should Germany be engaged in a European conflict.

I replied that the Irish Government wished to remain at peace with Germany as with all other powers and I referred to my statement published in the press on the 20th February last that the aim of Irish Government policy was to maintain and preserve Ireland's neutrality in the event of war.

This information will probably appear in the press on Saturday morning.