File No. 763.72/11163
The Ambassador in Spain ( Willard ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 30, 1.55 p.m.]
1743. Late yesterday afternoon Prime Minister summoned all Ministers, diplomats absent to come to Madrid immediately for council to be held there today. They declined to give any information as to reason for this sudden meeting. Embassy has just learned that Spanish ship Carasa which left Bilbao for Cardiff with cargo of minerals on August 19, has been torpedoed. Six victims, no further details known at present. News of first sinking doubtless known to Spanish Government yesterday and was reason for council. In view of recent Spanish note to Germany (1708, August 22, 2 p.m., and 1725, August 29 [25], 10 a.m.), a very grave situation has arisen.