852.01/28: Telegram

The Ambassador in Germany (Sackett) to the Secretary of State

50. Reference Department circular April 17, 5 p.m.,6 German comment, press and otherwise, has on the whole up to date been somewhat colorless. The overthrow of the Spanish Monarchy is regarded as an inevitable historical development. Good wishes for the new Republic which are widespread extending even throughout conservative circles are tempered by sympathy for the person of the King and gratitude for his friendliness to Germany as well [as] by the hope that the French influence may not now prove permanently paramount in Spain.

There are the to-be-expected insinuations that France had a hand in bringing about present developments and a tendency to characterize them as a French success.

A certain amount of skepticism is shown as to the ability and durability of the present Cabinet and some apprehension is voiced as to the situation soon becoming further out of hand.

[Paraphrase.] The following information for the Department comes from Von Bülow, the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He gave it to me in confidence. My colleagues are not to be informed. The German Government is not disposed to rush recognition of the Spanish Provisional Government as the stability of the new regime is questioned here. Should the other powers extend recognition, however, the Germans will consider it advisable to follow suit. In any event, they do not consider it necessary to be in the vanguard. They are hopeful that a delay of several days may be possible. Von Hindenburg has personal aversion to the granting of recognition, as he feels the new regime is the result of the pernicious activities of émigrés. However, the President’s opposition will be set aside, if, as stated in the foregoing, the Germans consider that they must follow example, should other Governments accord recognition. [End paraphrase.]

Sackett
  1. See footnote 3, p. 987.