DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. - Russia.
The Russian Government were manifesting the most friendly feelings towards Ireland and were anxious to come to an understanding with the Republic and with Irish Labour.
J. MACDONAGH (Tipperary, North) moved the adoption of the Report. He suggested that a copy of the letter received from Mr. Fawsitt should be sent to the Dublin Corporation, in order that that body might know what Mr. Larkin's position really was.
J. MACBRIDE (Mayo, West) seconded the motion and said that he considered that a strong protest should be forwarded to the French Government in connection with the expulsion of Mr. Duffy.
D. KENT (Cork East) considered that a protest against the action of the British Government in interfering with Irish Trade by preventing American ships calling at Cobh should be forwarded to the Irish Consul at New York and also to the Acting American Consul at Cobh.
The ASSOCIATE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (COUNT PLUNKETT) suggested that the form the protests should take should be left to the Ministry. The protest with regard to the expulsion was a matter which required very delicate handling.
The ACTING-PRESIDENT agreed that it was a very delicate matter. The expulsion had not the sympathy of the French people. As regards Cobh, their course should be to notify the American Government that it was not the action of the Irish Government that was responsible for the stoppage of the shipping at Cobh, but the action of the British Government. If these matters were left in the hands of the Ministry they would be better able to deal with them.
The adoption of the Report was then put and carried.