681.003/108: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 28—3:20 p.m.]
91. Department’s telegram No. 66, December 20, 8 p.m. received December 25, noon. Earliest appointment I could secure with Minister for Foreign Affairs was for this morning but on arrival was informed by Señor Rocha that he was no longer Minister for Foreign Affairs and that the agrarian leader Martinez de Velasco has taken his place and will be in the Foreign Office on the 31st. He requested me to take up the Moroccan question with his successor. I, therefore, withheld the note drafted in accordance with first paragraph Department’s telegram No. 65, December 15, 2 p.m. This note encloses copy [Page 883] of Blake’s note to Spanish Chargé Tangier dated April 24 which formed enclosure to Blake’s despatch to the Department No. 943, May 31st. Note follows closely verbiage Department’s telegram and in addition contains protest against Dahir prohibiting importation of slippers. Does note as outlined above meet the Department’s approval?
I saw Spanish Minister to Tangier last night who said that present Spanish High Commissioner accepts notes from Blake sent through him and replies by same channel. Thus modus vivendi mentioned third paragraph Department’s December 15th cable apparently reestablished but presume Department still wishes Spanish Government “to define its position.”
Johnson discussed situation informally this morning with Castano, chief Overseas and Moroccan Section, Foreign Office, who was formerly Consul General Tangier. Castano favored settlement of outstanding American claims in exchange for recognition Spanish Zone and will be willing to commence discussions to that end at once.50
Believe that Blake should be requested visit Madrid immediately to participate such discussions and to accompany me to Foreign Office early next week when I make oral representations directed above mentioned cables. If he does not come will be unable to reply if asked to be specific with regard to conditions described second paragraph Department’s cable December 15th. Copy this and above mentioned cables mailed Blake.
- For previous correspondence, see Foreign Relations, 1931, vol. ii, pp. 750 ff.↩