File No. 652.119/507

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

[Telegram]

1047. Supplementing Embassy’s 1042, February 4, 3 p.m., and referring directly to Department’s 862, February 2, noon. It should be borne in mind that Spain does not stand in the same relation to Central Powers as do northern neutral powers, and that you can not deal with Spain unless her racial pride is considered. She will never submit to rationing as suggested nor does Embassy feel that she will agree to charter her shipping above national necessities. If the Department decides to postpone permanent agreement until Spain feels more definitely necessity of coming to agreement with us, such policy will be valueless so long as Spanish Ambassador at Washington is able to secure permits to export all commodities needed in Spain, notwithstanding our embargo, as is currently reported here.

Willard