File No. 763.72111/4141
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Willard)
188. Your 283, October 14.1 On account of proximity to Germany and the war zone, it seems to me that Spain’s relations to submarine [Page 782] warfare present a different problem from that which we have here, owing to the unlikelihood of merchant submarines which come to the United States being used to supply war submarines near American waters. I do not think that I ought therefore to express any opinion as to the advisability of the proposed decree which you quote. From our point of view, under present conditions, it does not seem advisable to distinguish between war submarines and warships in restricting use of American ports. This, however, is a tentative view only, as subsequent events may prove it to be inexpedient. The Department is giving the matter its constant attention.