352.1153 St 2/1: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Spain (Blair)
100. Your telegrams 132 of December 1, 2 p.m., and 133 of December 6, noon. This Government is concerned by reports indicating that the Spanish oil monopoly is proceeding to take over the property of oil companies with no attempt to make arrangements for the prompt payment of the fair value of such property. It should be observed that this Government expects that compensation will be paid for any American installations which may be seized, on the basis outlined in the Department’s 85 of November 8, 3 p.m. It further expects that such payment will be made promptly and will look to the Spanish Government for fair compensation covering not only the value of the property seized, but also the use of the property up to the date of payment of adequate compensation.
This may be brought to the attention of the Spanish Government and the interested American companies may be informed of the action taken.