DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. - France.
The ASSOCIATE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (COUNT PLUNKETT) in the course of an oral report stated that much attention had been directed to France owing to recent events there. The French Government had given Mr. Gavan Duffy his congé and had given him a very short time to leave Paris. They had given no explanation of their action, but they had otherwise treated him with courtesy. Mr. Duffy had gone to Brussels. French popular sympathy had been moved by the action of their Government and both the Government and the semi-official press of France realised that a most serious blunder had been committed. The meaning of it was understood all over Europe. French prestige had been lowered under English pressure. Much as they might regret the insult to Mr. Duffy, the Irish Republic had rather gained than lost from a propaganda point of view over this matter. Mr. Duffy could do very effective work in Brussels. Captain Mac White whose status in Parisien Commercial circles was high, and who had given service as a soldier of the French Republic had since Mr. Duffy's departure been in charge of Irish Propaganda in Paris. Mr. Sean T.O Ceallaigh had just returned there from Rome.