File No. 763.72119/15
The Ambassador in Spain (Willard) to the Secretary of State
San Sebastian, August 23, 1914, 12 midnight.
[Received August 24, 9 a.m.]
[Telegram]
Immediately upon my arrival last night I held an extended interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs as intimated in Mr. Dearing’s telegram August 15, 4 p.m.1
Minister for Foreign Affairs is most solicitous to strengthen the cordial relations between the United States and Spain. He reiterated most positively these sentiments and further expressed his earnest desire that the United States and Spain act in close accord looking to the establishment of peace. He expressed Spain’s earnest wish to cooperate with the United States if an opportunity presented itself for the use of our good offices and earnestly urged that Spain might rely on our cordial support if such an opportunity presented itself to her; expressed great horror at the conditions obtaining to-day in Europe and his wish to bring about a cessation of hostilities. There can be no doubt that he expressed the sentiments of his Government. I expressed myself personally as in accord with those sentiments. He expressed further, and independently of the immediate situation, his desire to bring about [Page 71] closer commercial relations between the two countries and added that such union would be productive of great common good.
I cannot but feel that the sincerity of his attitude is further illustrated by Spain’s recent decision to participate in the Panama-Pacific Exposition and that he desired strengthening of the already cordial diplomatic relations. [If this] can be established it will not only greatly facilitate commerce between the two countries but will tend to continue our trade relations with South American Republics. This is a great opportunity for our Government which should not be lost, and therefore suggest, if the Department deems it advisable, that I be instructed to make some expression to the Minister for Foreign Affairs showing our country’s readiness to cooperate with Spain in any efforts towards peace or for humanitarian ends.
Dearing has very recently again brought to the attention of Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposed peace treaty between Spain and United States which matter I shall urge at the first opportunity. Dearing represented that Spain could give no more material proof of her desire to strengthen her relations with United States than her execution of this treaty. I am asking early interview with His Majesty who returns to San Sebastian [the] twenty-sixth, when I shall bring this to his attention.
Spanish sympathy is evidently with the French and English, though she will positively maintain her neutrality. Minister for Foreign Affairs strongly referred to the fact that the United States and Spain, while not the only neutral powers, were practically the only nations whose positive neutrality is so clearly defined and disinterested as to make them acceptable a probable instruments for peace.
The Department is earnestly requested to express to the Spanish Ambassador in Washington the appreciation of our Government of the courtesies extended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to this Embassy in its recent, heavy tasks and especially in enabling it to secure advance transportation for Americans without funds and to obtain ready money for destitute Americans. This work could not otherwise have been done as efficiently as it was by the Chargé d’Affaires, his office and our consuls in Spain.