File No. 652.119/484

The Ambassador in Spain ( Willard ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1028. Belmont just returned from interview with the Minister of Finance, reports as follows: [Page 1662]

Final ratification of (agreement?), which would include the French requirements, seems now to hinge on having a provisional arrangement covering one or two months by which [providing for?] the release of Spanish vessels now detained in United States ports. No statistics showing how many Spanish vessels are now detained in United States ports. Claimed here there are 31 for one cause or another. Can we assure such provisional release?

Embassy approves provisional release of Spanish vessels only upon execution of definite [agreement with] France [on understanding that Spain] would be permitted such arrangement pending negotiations for the final adjustment of the present situation respecting detentions in the United States which Spain finds vexatious. Minister of Finance, with some elements of truth, stated that entire (agreement?) concerning exports would be worthless without ships to convey cotton, oil, etc., to Spain. [France has failed to?] secure Spanish credit for which her delegates are now negotiating; and [Embassy] is of opinion that unless France can secure such credit it will eventually become necessary for the United States to finance France’s purchasing here. Therefore Embassy respectfully suggests instruction that it give Foreign Office assurances of release of Spanish vessels under conditions above set out.

Willard