611.5231/1048: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Bowers)
72. Your despatch 940, November 4, 1935. Trade agreement as now drafted has been approved by Secretary but will not be submitted to President until we are informed that it has received the approval of the Spanish Government, although the President has approved individually our proposed reductions to Spain. There is complete agreement with regard to the schedules and also with regard to all but a very few points of the general provisions which the Spanish Ambassador has indicated his Government may be reluctant to accept.
We very greatly appreciate the valuable aid which you have given us from time to time in the course of the negotiations notably in the obtainment of an adequate automobile quota and your present offer is much appreciated also. It is not believed, however, that intervention in Madrid in the present stage of the negotiations is yet advisable. The Spanish Ambassador fully understands that the approval of the [Page 735] Trade Agreement Committee and of the Secretary was predicated upon the acceptance of the general provisions as drafted and he is also fully aware that we feel that we have gone as far as possible and that it is now up to the Spanish Government to show whether it really desires an agreement. It is believed therefore that the Spanish Ambassador should be given an opportunity to submit the agreement to his Government without the simultaneous exertion of pressure by the Embassy which might perhaps be resented. If, later on, intervention on your part seems advisable we shall not hesitate to call on you.