File No. 652.119/541

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

[Telegram]

1058. Last night the King sent confidential message that detention of Spanish vessels in American waters was being construed in certain circles here as exercise of compulsion on our part in connection with pending commercial and financial agreements and that such continued detentions would be impairing his ability to assist in securing French credit and ratification of French-Spanish financial agreement, Embassy’s telegram 1053, February 8, 10 a.m. [9 p.m.] He therefore asked release of this shipping.

Referring to confidential comments 1029, January 30, 10 a.m.,1 Embassy ventures to recommend, as a provisional measure and for the purpose set forth in article 13 of the tentative agreement under consideration [release of] shipping now detained in American waters and to request prompt instructions so to inform King. Embassy is grateful for instructions contained in Department’s 875, February 7, 7 p.m.,2 and is securing thereby French-Spanish financial agreement. In the above suggestion and otherwise Embassy is exercising every endeavor to secure agreement. However, in event of failure it will then become absolutely necessary to enforce United States embargo notwithstanding untrue statement which will be made that such action will bring about revolution. If revolution comes to Spain it will be direct result of her own internal policy and not the result of our legitimate and even liberal attitude, of which she has had full vindications and which she will have deliberately defied. However, Embassy is carefully watching interior conditions and shall keep the Department advised promptly and fully.

Willard
  1. See footnote 1, ante, p. 1664.
  2. Not printed; after proposing certain changes in the draft agreement, the telegram concluded: “With these changes incorporated you may ratify agreement … if and when French-Spanish agreement executed.” (File No. 652.119/488.)