852.00/1819: Telegram

The Ambassador in Spain (Laughlin) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

22. In a document which he gave to Count Romanones,1 the Bang defined his position. The paper was to be published after the Monarch had quit Spain. I have a copy of this important statement.

Press correspondents have informed me that the document has been published in the United States. Consequently, unless otherwise instructed, I shall not telegraph it but send it by the next pouch. It is clear from the King’s definition of his position that he has not “abdicated”. The Provisional Government obviously desires to suppress it here. The Spanish press makes no mention of it but, on the contrary, makes repeated references to the King’s “abdication”.

Laughlin
  1. Conde de Romanones (Alvaro Figueroa y Torres), Minister of Foreign Affairs In the last Cabinet under King Alfonso XIII.