File No. 763.72/11452
The Ambassador in Spain ( Willard) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 18, 3.05 a.m.]
1826. Embassy’s 1807, September 11, 7 p.m.1 Minister for Foreign Affairs and King arrived in Madrid yesterday. Will probably preside over Council of Ministers to-day. I did not go to Madrid (Embassy’s 1791, September 7, 7 p.m.1) because colleagues feared that my presence might be construed as attempting to exert undue influence. Embassy will be able, however, to keep Department promptly informed concerning what may occur at Council of Ministers. French Chargé d’Affaires frankly intimates that France considers continuation of exportation from Spain of iron ore and other essential commodities of even greater importance than possibility of leading or forcing Spain to a rupture of diplomatic relations with Germany and is therefore very loath to make her representations or to take any position which may be [construed] as bringing pressure to bear on Spain. British Chargé d’Affaires is somewhat of same opinion. Italian Ambassador seems rather favorable to firmer attitude towards Spain.