File No. 862.85/626
The Ambassador in Spain ( Willard) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 10, 10.25 a.m.]
2057. Department’s 1782, November 9 [7], 4 p.m. Reference is also made to Embassy’s 1952, October 15, noon, reporting transfer of seven German vessels to Spanish Government. Vessels thus selected for transfer were later changed (see Embassy’s 1957, October 17, noon1); transfer was result of prolonged friendly negotiations between Spanish Government and German Ambassador here; details and conditions of transfer seem to have been left entirely for future consideration. However, Embassy will endeavor to secure definite information from Minister of Foreign Affairs concerning this question, although Department will recognize that it may be difficult to do so during a ministerial crisis.
Reference is now made to Embassy’s 2046, November 7, 10 a.m.1 Have just concluded personal conference with British Ambassador who stated that some days ago he had been instructed by his Government that the Associated Governments did not recognize the transfer to the Spanish Government of certain German vessels refugeed in Spanish ports and that in accordance with these instructions he had informed the Spanish Government that the British Government would seize these vessels if found outside of Spanish territorial waters.