703.5200/6

The Spanish Ambassador (Riaño) to the Secretary of State

[Translation2]
37–03

Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to forward to Your Excellency, together with the usual office copy and with a request that you kindly cause it to reach its high destination, the letter which His Majesty the King, my August Sovereign, sends to the President of the Republic of the United States in reply to that expressing the gratefulness of the North American people and Government for the mission assumed by Spain during the late war.

I avail myself [etc.]

Juan Riaño
[Page 916]
[Enclosure—Translation3]

King Alfonso XIII to President Harding

Great and Good Friend: We have been highly gratified at receiving your letter by which you were pleased to express to us the gratitude and regard of the people and Government of the United States for the mission undertaken by Spain during the course of the late war when it took charge of the protection of North Americans in Germany and Austria-Hungary. In receiving with sentiments of high consideration and esteem so great a testimonial of gratitude, we take pleasure in expressing to Your Excellency the satisfaction we derive from the praise addressed to the Spanish officials for their zeal in performing the duties placed upon them by the mission with which they were entrusted, the outcome no doubt of the good friendship which Spain bears to the United States. We pray God for your personal happiness and that of the North American people and take great pleasure in reiterating to you the assurances of our regard and the esteem with which we are

Great and Good Friend

Your Good Friend

Alfonso

Countersigned Joaquin Fernández Prida

Minister of State
  1. File translation revised.
  2. File translation revised.