DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. - United States.
President de Valera's work in the United States was going ahead. One of the most hopeful facts to be recorded was that Mr. John Devoy had with drawn all statements made against the conduct of the campaign on behalf of the Republic and had stated that there was only one body of Irish opinion in the United States. This showed that an acute crisis was over. The news of English brutality and lawlessness in Ireland was now spreading throughout the world. In regard to the case of Mr. James Larkin, advices received from America showed that when he was up for trial a representative of the Republic attended at the court and did all that was possible in his defence. Since then the Consul in New York had issued a report in Mr. Larkin's case, but it had not yet been received. A letter had, however, been received from him in reference to the case. It would seem that Mr. Larkin had been treated with great severity. Advanced Labour in America had taken up the case and the services of Mr. Frank P. Walsh, who was a tower of strength had been secured. He read the following letter received from Mr. Fawsitt:
"Irish Consulate, New York,
"12th August, 1920.
"Dear Sirs,
"Supplementing my report to you on the James Larkin case. Following conversations which we have had with the Hon. Frank P. Walsh of this City, I am glad to report that that gentleman has consented to act as Court Counsel in the Appeal proceedings which it is proposed to take in the New York State Supreme Court on behalf of James Larkin in the event of the Governor of the State declining to grant the free pardon for which he has now been prayed by the Attorney representing Larkin. (See report of said petition taken from to-day's New York ‘Call,' attached herewith).
"I have to add that so far no application has been received at this Consulate either from Mr. Larkin or in his behalf from his Attorney inviting the protection and services of either the Consul or other representative in this country of the Republic of Ireland.
"I have to request that you will bring this correspondence and enclosure to the attention of the Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs for his information and guidance and also for that of the Cabinet as a whole.
"Yours faithfully,
(Signed), "J.L. Fawsitt,
"Irish Consul."
It was not their business to enquire as to whether Mr. Larkin's friends in the State had approached them or not. Mr. Larkin was one of their fellow-citizens and it was their business to do what they could to protect him.