681.003/161: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom ( Atherton ) to the Secretary of State

96. Embassy’s telegram 27, January 21, 6 p.m.

1.
Foreign Office states it is in receipt of a further formal request from the Spanish Embassy that Great Britain relinquish its extraterritorial rights in the Spanish Zone of Morocco and would be grateful if it might be informed whether the Department has received a similar request.
2.
Foreign Office had not formulated a reply and proposes “to temporize” but mentioned that though it had no present intention of giving up those rights it assumed “they probably can’t be held forever”.
3.
Foreign Office thought that since we were in the same position, possible concerted action seemed indicated and desirable, and Foreign Office would be interested in any views the Department might wish to convey.
4.
The Embassy mentioned our non-recognition of the Spanish Protectorate as having a possible bearing in the matter, and promised to communicate with the Department by telegraph.
Atherton