My dear Minister,
Many thanks for your letter of the 6th Aug. posted from Paris.¹

[matter omitted]

I should be greatly surprised if there is any answer for a considerable time. If they want a special note giving the Agrément they will ask for it. I suggest it would be better for us not to take any initiative which might appear to imply that we have not been absolutely correct. If they want to make us come to Canossa² they will not hesitate to use that means as well [as] the device of a long delay. They might resent any suggestions as to forms unless asked for ... so, for the time being, at any rate let us await events. You remember my saying to you that they might use advances on our part to inflict a humiliation. And we should prepare, at any rate, for some delay.

Apart from all that, we are now in the splendid position of having given them an official communication, every word of which is fit to go on the records of our history as the proper attitude, in every sense, to adopt towards the Holy See. I hope that they will realize the fact that, after such a filial warning from the most Catholic Government in the world, they should, in the interest of long and short term Church policy, appoint an IRISHMAN. Through their own fault the whole Catholic world that really counts, knows that there has been hesitation about accepting Felici, and an Italian appointment now will condemn them as hopelessly nationalistic, and will inevitably rouse feeling in all the right quarters. And with it will come the determination to push for a GENERAL COUNCIL so that this most urgent reform in the interests of the whole world may be brought about as soon as possible.

Don't worry about John's doubts.³ It is so characteristic of ecclesiastics to be full of wisdom and to have special information, when they should think of the general interests of the Church. Of course, it would be natural for the H.S. to work up amongst the Bishops the feelings which M. tried to induce in the Government through me. One doesn't like to be uncharitable, but I fear our man is at least a little interested in events to come. That would be a disaster when we are fighting for the ending of partition. But it won't happen.