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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S government
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
しし
40
SECRET.
C.0.S.(40) 459.
13TH JUNE. 1940.
WAR CABINET.
COPY NO.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
EIRE
PURCHASE OF ARMS FROM THE U.S.A.
Copy of a letter dated 13th June, 1940. from the Foreign Office to the Secretary.
X X X X
The Counsellor of the American Embassy left the annexed memorandum with me today regarding the desire of the Government of Eire to purchase in the United States a large quantity of arms of various types including aircraft, armoured cars, artillery and rifles with the least possible delay. Mr. Herschel Johnson, when leaving the enclosed memorandum, explained that what the United States Government really wanted to know were the views of His Majesty's Government on the question of giving or not giving priority to these orders from the Eire Government. If they were given priority, I understand that they would be integrated in corresponding orders which His Majesty's Government have given in the United States.
As the enclosed memorandum raises a question of poli directly affecting the three Services, I should be grateful
Ι if you would submit the matter to the Chiefs of Staff. am also sending a copy of this letter to Machtig at the Dominions Office for his views.
As I understand that a large proportion of the Eire Army has I.R.A. tendencies, there seems a risk that these weapons may be used against us, and my inclination would be to inform Mr. Herschel Johnson orally that we would prefer that orders from the Eire Government should not be given priority if this would in any way affect deliveries to ourselves.
459
X X X X
*
Annex.
-1-
(Signed)
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0.G. SARGENT.
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