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5.
The main- perhaps the one obstacle is partition. We are aware that this is a political problem of supremely explosive quality. Nevertheless we feel that the Chiefs of Staff are not only entitled but in duty bound to express clearly their military view that the continuance of partition is a military danger of the highest order. The people of the North should be told in the plainest terms that if we win the war we shall see to it that a United Ireland is ruled within the Empire as a true Dominion with all that it implies; but that if we lose the war as we may well do if the enemy succeeds in subjugating Ireland - they will have a unified Ireland in any event, but unified under the German jackboot instead of the British Crown.
6.
It may be hoped that the compromise solution which Mr. MacDonland is promising to Mr. de Valera will meet with success. If it does not, we suggest that the strongest possible pressure should be put upon the Northern Irish Government, coupled with the necessary conditions to be undertaken by Eire and guaranteed by His Majesty's Government. The latter should include the occupation by British forces of the Irish Atlantic ports, and the immediate adoption of all possible measures to ensure the defence of Eire such as the internment of Germans and I.R.A. personnel and the reinforcement of Eire by British land and air forces.
(Signed) G. S. DANIEL.
I.S.O.
PLAYFAIR.
Cabinet War Room.
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J.C. SLESSOR.
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