CAB129-35 — Page 183

Page 183 aggravated the difficulty of a friendly understanding with the North. There is already being quoted in Dublin a remark attributed to a Northern Minister about the Costello Government-" First by repealing the Act they gave us the election on a plate. Then they gave us the guarantee. What are they going to give us next?"

11. It is not surprising that in these circumstances the opinion is frequently expressed that Mr. de Valera's long political experience and great astuteness have enabled him without effort to manoeuvre the Government into a position in which in the hope of outbidding him they take the unpopular and embarrassing decisions while he benefits by the false steps into which they have been led.

12. It is difficult at this stage to judge how things will go. Government and Opposition alike are committed to pressing the issue.

13. I am sure that neither wants to see any resort to force, unwise as some of their speeches have been. Nor, on the best advice available, is there reason to think that the extremer elements are yet either planning or equipped for foreign action (the objectionable posters urging people to "Arm to take the North," or Six Divisions, Six Months, Six Counties recently put up in Dublin are the work of the small Irish Fascist group and were at once removed by the Police).

14. But without loss of credit they cannot let the agitation drop. They are committed by Mr. Costello's speeches and Mr. de Valera's support to doing all they can to injure His Majesty's Government" in their prestige and in their pride and in their pocket if Partition remains in being. I would anticipate—

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(a) continued lobbying for a round-table conference, preferably on the

initiative of another member of the Commonwealth;

(b) a campaign to mobilise Irish opinion in the United States and the Com- monwealth countries by way of bringing pressure to bear on His Majesty's Government.

15. Action on these lines would at any rate satisfy public opinion in this country that something was being done-the man in the street is probably more convinced of the practical difficulties of a friendly and satisfactory settlement than anyone is prepared to admit.

16. But from our point of view it will be of the greatest importance, if a campaign such as I suggested in the United States and other Commonwealth countries is likely to develop, that we should not let our case go by default. There are obvious objections to becoming entangled in a war of words. But Irish propaganda will be insistent, it will not concern itself too closely with the facts or the merits, and it will have as its electioneering agents a vast number of Irish men and women overseas, many of them traditionally hostile and suspicious of His Majesty's Government and reluctant to accept the good faith of the British people. I have no doubt that.consideration is already being given to this aspect of the matter. Material for use in dealing with such a campaign is under prepara- tion here, but if when it is received you wish it amplified in any way, the necessary arrangements will at once be made.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)

GILBERT LAITHWAITE.

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