File No. 652.119/475
The Ambassador in Spain ( Willard) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 29, 6.15 a.m.]
1025. Department’s 848, January 26, 11 a.m.1 Belmont replies as follows:
In very general way tonnage question has been discussed here and should be taken up later by competent representatives [familiar with?] practices now in force in the United States. Certain facilities apart from agreement now under consideration are likely to be secured at a northern port, but in meantime whatever use you have made of bunker licenses to influence routing and obtaining tonnage should be used discreetly as suggested in Embassy’s 1007, January 20, 6 p.m. [21, 10 a.m.]1 Had no intention of conveying advice to make sweeping use of bunker coaling as pressure. This would irritate and embarrass situation. Advantageous moment in view of sinkings of Spanish ships to get into closer relations. Belmont.