Sir, - With reference to the letter from Dermot James (February 5th), the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood in May 1917 appointed as envoy Dr Patrick McCartan to seek support by the Russian government for recognition of Ireland at the postwar peace conference. Details of McCartan's diplomatic experiences are given in his book With de Valera in America (published by Fitzpatrick, Dublin, 1932). Neither Russia nor the United States recognised the emergent Irish Republic.
Incidentally, Dr McCartan polled well in the 1945 Presidential election but was beaten by Sean T. O'Kelly. - Yours, etc.,
M. K. O'Doherty, Serpentine Road, Dublin 4.