452.11/326
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 15.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 833 of July 27,27 I have the honor to report that I had an interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning regarding the American claims in the Spanish Zone in Morocco and urged upon him the adoption of the formula given in my cable No. 6 of January 14, 3 p.m. I pointed out that we have now waited nine months for a reply which it was originally expected could be given within ten days and that since the High Commissioner of the Spanish Zone Sr. Rico Avello, is now in Madrid the present moment is a propitious one in which to come to some definite conclusion.
Sr. Lerroux said that the above referred to formula had been brought to his attention when he was Prime Minister and that he would request the Under-Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs immediately to get in touch with Sr. Rico Avello. He added that he would be “diligent” in seeking an arrangement of this question and that he desired American recognition of the Spanish Zone.
I left with Sr. Lerroux an Aide-Mémoire based on the Department’s cable No. 15 of February 21, 6 p.m., bringing to his personal attention the facts of the situation and the long delay thus far experienced.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩