Letter from de Valera to Hagan

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Pontifical Irish College

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de Valéra, Éamon

Hagan, John, 1873-1930

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Typescript letter (marked 'confidential') with handwritten additions signed by Éamon de Valéra, President's Office, Dáil Éireann, Dublin, to 'a chara' (Hagan), asking for suggestions and help in the current impasse. Explaining that the republican cause cannot be defended successfully by military effort anymore; an order for a ceasefire will be issued in a few days. If the state decided to pursue their men, the fight would persist and eventually all hope would be lost. Leaders, especially the moral leaders, have become too partisan to give useful advice; the people have cause to be disheartened if not cynical. 'Some special way of helping may occur to you'. The recent visitor and peacemaker (Luzio) 'came, unfortunately, at a bad time for us'; also, he gave in to the temptation to exert pressure on the weaker side of two parties. He did not know his ecclesiastical mission, but he received scant courtesy from the hierarchy. 'Some of our people seemed inclined to petition for a permanent delegation. I had some difficulty in pointing out to them that that might be very far from a blessing' – arguing that small nations always find it harder to secure friends: 'I know that these are your views on the matter'. They noted well and appreciated 'the absence of the representatives of a certain College at recent memorials'. Adding that while a 'peace "by understanding" would be by far the best in the national interest...our opponents want a "triumph"'. Also, the people would probably at present vote against both sides. Enclosing authentic copies of recent attempts at negotiation, internal Sinn Fein correspondence and press interview: 1) dossier with copies of items of correspondence (27 April-9 May) between President Eamon De Valera of the Government of the Republic of Ireland, the Irish Republican Army and President Cosgrave, Andrew Jameson and James Douglas, senators of the Irish Free State, concerning peace negotiations. Including De Valera's and the army's statements suspending hostilities and declaring readiness to negotiate; correspondence between De Valera and the two senators regarding their meeting on 1 May; DeValera's reply to the government's proposals in the shape of new terms of settlement; Cosgrave's judging the reply 'a long and wordy document inviting debate where none is possible' (8 May); DeValera's expression of disappointment – 'my offer generously embraced every principle of national value that I could conceive our opponents to be honestly fighting for. I have been met by rigid insistence... in a form which is well known...to be impracticable' (9 May). 2) Copy of typescript circular letter from (unsigned) [Eamon DeValera], Sinn Fein, Dublin, to (blank), soliciting the readers' views on proposals for the re-organisation of Sinn Fein. Explaining that his recent attempts to reach an agreement with their opponents failed; he had submitted principles that were meant to be 'a sort of national super-constitution' but their refusal makes it clear 'that the spirit of party is dominant amongst them'. Desire for peace is widespread, to avoid fragmentation into groups it is expedient to reform Sinn Fein to serve as a body that serves the national interest as a whole, despite negative associations with the name held by some. Listing five points of reform; detailing views on 'good government', the unalienable sovereignty of the nation, the importance of the Irish language, and the need for a social programme based on justice for all classes. Finally remarking that their opponents hope for civil war conditions up to the elections while aware that they cannot get back to power after an election campaign based on free speech. 3) Typescript copy with handwritten addition (in De Valera's hand) of an interview given (by him) to the Associated Press U.S.A. DeValera giving his opinions on the peace negotiations: the next move is with the people; the current one-sided truce cannot continue; the opponents only pretend his peace moves had not been sincere; elaborating on his proposals as an attempt to remove the obstacles created by the treaty by means of a substitute constitution; believing it would receive the people's support. 4) Typescript copy (different paper) with handwritten addition in ink by Eamon De Valera of the 'President's address to the army' which will probably be issued with the order of the day to cease fire and dump arms. Explaining that the republic cannot be defended by arms anymore; praising past efforts and urging hopefulness; explaining that the people's refusal of help is due to the 'overwhelming forces against them' and the general exhaustion after many sacrifices and sorrows. Once recovered 'they will then quickly discover who have been selfless and who selfish...' (The various enclosures were not filed with the covering letter anymore; enclosure 3) had been found in a trunk labelled 'Hagan' in 1974. Internal evidence points to their forming a unit.) [27 April-19 May 1923]