Your tel. 185.¹ I think that at this stage the possibility of the Russians getting to Berlin first in the present or in a later drive must be seriously considered. The Nuncio is uneasy about this eventuality but has not decided to make any move yet although he may do so shortly. He has had no instructions whatever. The Spanish Ambassador is quite frankly frightened of the arrival of the Russians and is very anxious to get away but would like the Nuncio to take the initiative of asking the German Government to give quarters elsewhere to such of the diplomatic corps as wish to get away from here: at present this would probably be Vatican Spain Portugal and ourselves. The Nuncio is not prepared to undertake such a démarche as dean of the corps and feels rightly in my opinion in the circumstances, that any mission wishing to get away should raise the question independently. If the Nuncio were to move from here I would follow him. The way I see the matter is (1) I do not feel that I must necessarily as Irish fear the arrival of the Russians (2) On the other hand my being here when they arrive might serve no useful purpose as we have no relations and there might be difficulty later in my getting out. I think therefore that in view of your tel. 234² my best course might be to request F.O. to give me quarters in a region more remote from the line of the Russian advance and from which it would be possible to get away later. I am thinking of some place in the region of Lake Constance.³ This would have the advantage as against going to Switzerland at once of not burning our boats while keeping open the possibility of getting away later if desired. If you approve this course I will immediately approach Foreign Office as the sooner I decide on the change the more time I will have to make the necessary arrangements and the journey. It is of course possible that they might refuse to give me facilities see experience of Spanish Ambassador my tel. 179:⁴ Nuncio when he asked F.O. January 23rd whether they have envisaged any plan for Diplomatic Corps was told no as Russians will not get to Berlin.

I have heard of no internal unrest consequent on the Russian advance. The population is rather anxious. A considerable number of refugees is coming to this area. The Press promises that the Russian advance will be held. I think it likely that the present offensive may not reach Berlin because of supplies position. The Swiss Minister is also of this opinion subject to the possibility of the morale of the German army collapsing. It is at any rate clear that if Upper Silesia lost it will have very serious consequences in the long run for Germany.