The news that Adolph Hitler had died in action in Berlin came to Portugal over the air from Hamburg and Bremen on 2nd May. In the afternoon the Government had the National flag hoisted at half-mast on its buildings. The newspapers gave the announcement in its columns what appeared to be second priority: the complete occupation of Berlin by Russian troops and the surrender of the garrison came first in importance. The principal papers published brief biographical notes, with photographs of the ex-Führer. On the following day, which was an annual public holiday in celebration of the discovery of Brazil and also of the foundation of the Portuguese Navy, the official flags went back to top-mast, the conventional sign of mourning being reverted to on the succeeding day.

For the reason given in my report on the events here connected with the death of President Roosevelt, the Irish flag did not at all appear on the Irish Legation – which brought us into unusual prominence and was the cause of a great deal of speculation. The building in which our present premises are situated (on the ground floor) consists of two upper stories, the second of which has been occupied for the past five years by a German organisation supposed to be engaged in the insurance business (but quite obviously in other more important activities). Thus, the only flags that flew on 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors from this building (right over the Legation) were the Swastika at half-mast and alongside it a Portuguese flag similarly displayed. As the existence of the German office seems not to have been generally known and as the only nameplates on the entrance to the building are those of the Irish Legation (Passport and Shipping Office), it was generally supposed that the whole building was ours and consequently the Legation which had never before during three years displayed a flag here, had produced a German one especially in sign of mourning for Hitler. As a result of this, most of my time on 3rd May was spent answering enquiries on the telephone, in the streets, and even at home on this matter. One of my enquirers by telephone was a very irate Irishman who spoke of throwing up his nationality if what he had heard was true etc. and at the office I received visits from the correspondents of Reuter and of the English Daily Express respectively. It was, of course, easy for me to explain the position and with the assistance of the staff of the Legation – (including the Charwoman) who I understand, had also received many enquiries – we gradually got the true position spread abroad.

With regard to the Reuter and Daily Express correspondents, whom I had previously met on two or three occasions at least, they soon departed from the flag flying question and went into generalities on 'Irish neutrality', the supposed love of the Taoiseach for National-Socialism, his supposed 'hatred of England', whether we really felt 'indifferent as to the outcome of the war ' etc. etc. I, of course, had no difficulty in replying to their questions (which I had invited them to put to me frankly and openly) and finally, they left, assuring me that they understood perfectly our official attitude in all these matters. I told them that I much appreciated their visit and said I would be happy to discuss with them, at any time, any matter relating to our internal or foreign policy in which they might be interested.

In compliance with the formal procedure, I duly sent my card to the German Minister expressing the condolence of the Irish Legation. So far, I have not received the acknowledgment always forthcoming on such occasions. This may be due to the fact that the Minister and his staff have been continuously engaged for endless days and nights looking after their nationals who arrived here some time ago on the S.S. 'Drottingholm' for repatriation. Following immediately on this the German Mission here was terminated by the Portuguese Government on Sunday evening, May 6, 1945, and the Minister may not, as from that moment, consider that he should enter into any further correspondence with colleagues.

According to a press notice, religious commemorative services were held in the German Catholic and Protestant Churches respectively, at the instance of the Legation on Sunday last. Members of the German Colony, the Japanese and some Portuguese sympathisers were present.