611.5231/968: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 6—11:50 a.m.]
27. My telegrams 24, April 29, 1 p.m.; and 25, May 2, 5 p.m. For the quarter ending June 30 French automobiles have been given a contingent equal to 10% of automobiles imported same period last year. Informed orally by Foreign Office this morning that American automobiles will receive 100% contingent. Same percentage will be accorded British and German automobiles but Foreign Office considers treatment accorded us very favorable since Spanish trade balance with Germany equal and Spain has favorable trade balance with England and unfavorable one with us.
Foreign Office has intimated that it hopes for a great expedition in our treaty negotiations and in view of the fact that preliminary Spanish-British commercial negotiations now taking place and negotiations soon to begin with Brazil I cannot overemphasize desirability of hastening our own negotiations now that French and Spanish are virtually engaged in tariff war.