306 Churchill to Curtin

From the Prime Minister to the Prime Minister.

1. The War Cabinet reconsidered yesterday the question of inviting Southern Ireland (Eire) to the Conference at Ottawa about civil aviation, in view of their having been invited without our being consulted by the United States to the later conference in the United States of America. We have also considered carefully the various expressions of opinion from the Dominion Governments. [2] We felt, however, after much heart searching that it would be impossible for us to advocate an Empire conference at which a member state of the British Empire was present who actually at the moment would be maintaining in Dublin German and Japanese diplomatic representatives and Irish representatives at Berlin and Tokyo. The magnitude of the question of the future relations of Ireland with the British Empire and Commonwealth and with the United Kingdom is by no means to be overlooked, but it should not be settled on a side issue of this character, where our hand has been forced by the action of a foreign power. Although Anglo-Irish relations are a matter of concern to the whole Empire, it will I am sure be admitted that the interest of the United Kingdom on account of our very close proximity, is one which must be considered paramount. We, therefore, hope that you will be willing to acquiesce in the line we take. [3]

2. We do not consider that the geographical position of Ireland will be of very great importance in post-war aviation. The new field we are building at Slough for the reception of the enormous aircraft of the future will deprive Foynes of much, if not all, of its present significance.