Showing 1952 results

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Sub-series · 1929
Part of Private Archives

Fragmentary material. - References of documents on Irish Foreign Policy published by the Royal Irish Academy, Department of Foreign Affairs and National Archives, between 2002 and 2004 - Volumes including the texts of correspondence to and from Sean Lester - Some of the letters reproduced in these publications are not in the S. Lester's Journal and Papers, and vice-versa.

Sub-series · 1933.01.19-1937.02.26
Part of Private Archives

The Status of Danzig:
The Free City of Danzig was an autonomous Baltic port and city-state established on January 10, 1920, in accordance with the terms of Treaty of Versailles of 1919.

When Poland was reconstituted under the Peace Treaty of Versailles, the country was ensured a free and secure access to the sea by what is known as the Polish or Danzig Corridor, formerly territory of the ancient Polish province of Romorze. This restoration and establishment of Polish territory, taken from German occupation, made a frontier that cut right through eastern Germany, separating east Prussia from the rest of Germany. This partitioning arrangement was bitterly resented by Germans, and stood in the forefront of the Nazi programme for treaty revision.

Poland's interests in Danzig are both political and economic. The Versailles Treaty gave her charge of the foreign affairs of the Free City and, in 1922, also by treaty, Danzig entered the Polish Customs Union.

Danzig was placed under the protection of the League of Nation. The chief preoccupation of the League of Nations during that period 1934-1936 was connected with Danzig.

A point not generally recognised is that this "free city" was, in fact, a tract of territory nearly as large as Wales. Danzig included not only the Free City of Danzig proper, but several other considerable towns, and no fewer than 252 villages (SLP-1936-Aug-25-P). The Free City of Danzig was far larger than Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco or San Marino. It comprised not only Danzig itself, but several other considerable towns and no fewer than 252 villages (SLP-1936-Sep-22-P).

October 1935
Pp 274/1/1-4 · Document · 1935.10
Part of Private Archives

Sketches - Death of Arthur Henderson; Noel Baker; Zilliacus; F. Nansen; Carl Joachim Hambro; Pierre Laval; Anthony Eden; General Le Rond; General Dawes.

Colombia-Peru Dispute
Sub-sub-series · 1933.01-1933.10
Part of Private Archives

Colombia's appeal under article 15 of the League of Nations Covenant on the disputed border town of Leticia, ceded to Colombia by Peru under treaty in 1922. According to the Peruvian Government the cession of Leticia to Colombia was unjustified.

A Committee of Three including S. Lester (Irish Free State), Madariaga (Spain), and Matos (Guatemala) was appointed by the League of Nations Council to follow the Colombia-Peru dispute. Ireland was a member of the League of Nations Council.

Summary of events (from Francis Paul Walters' book, "A history of the League of Nations", p. 536, London: Oxford University Press, 1952).

1932 Sep: Peruvians occupy Leticia, Lima disavows them;
1933 Jan: S. Lester on behalf of de Valera reminds two countries of duties as members
of the League of Nations,
Case brought before Council,
Feb: Article 15 involved by Colombia,
Mar: Council recommendations (against Peru),
Council sets up Advisory Committee (S. Lester chairman),
May: War threatens, emergency meeting of Advisory Committee,
New Peruvian president cooperative, S. Lester convenes Council,
two governments table agreement,
Jun: League of Nations flag hoisted in Leticia for a year, all well.