881.00/8–1445: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15—2:13 a.m.]
4922. From Villard. Soviet delegation submitted following today to Tangier Conference:
“The Conference has decided to recommend to Governments taking part in the Conference following resolution: ‘Spain cannot be admitted to participation in the administrative organizations of the International Zone of Tangier until the regime of General Franco installed in Spain as a result of the support of the Axis Powers is replaced by a democratic regime.’”
The French and British delegations set forth the very great practical difficulties in the way of the adoption of the Soviet proposal. When opinion of American delegation was requested I replied in accordance with Department’s instructions contained in telegram No. 3753, August 9 that while we recognized practical difficulties outlined we would not object to Soviet proposal on conditions outlined by Department. Soviet delegation expressed themselves as in accord.
French delegation proposed with concurrence of all delegations that question be reserved for subsequent decision by Conference and that in meantime delegations seek from their respective Governments in [Page 633] formation concerning (1) the measures which those Governments would be prepared to take, including use of armed force in the event of a refusal of Spain to comply with requirement that Spain evacuate Tangier without any participation in subsequent provisional administration; and (2) the extent to which the Four Powers would be prepared to assist in the provisioning of Tangier in event of Spain’s refusal to continue to assume this burden.
After the conference the British delegation pointed out that Soviet proposal if accepted would raise acutely issue of continuance of Franco in power and they inquired attitude of United States Government toward forcing of this issue at this time.59
Meyrier privately stated to us that it would be some days before the French answer could be expected as French protectorate authorities would have to be consulted inasmuch as the proposal raised the issue of possible use of troops on French Moroccan frontier against Spanish Zone. He thought it would be extremely difficult for French Government to agree to use of economic pressure against Spain as France was so dependent upon Spain for vitally needed foodstuffs but he did not think the French Government would be adverse to economic sanctions against Spain if these were limited to commodities such as military shipments in which France had no interest.
Both we and Soviet delegation expressed opinion that Franco would yield with[out?] necessity of use of force in face of a decision by the Four Powers represented at Tangier Conference.
Sent Department, Madrid 316, Moscow 271, Tangier 34, London 590. [Villard.]
- For documentation relating to the position of the United States regarding the continuation of the Franco regime in Spain after the war, see vol. v, pp. 667 ff.↩