852.00/3035: Telegram
The Consul at Bilbao (Chapman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:37 p.m.]
Department’s telegram of September 6, 2 p.m. There has been no agreement between the local government and the insurgents. Government says that they cannot give the insurgents recognition of direct negotiations but that bishops of Bayonne and Pamplona proposed conference to which Government have no objection and therefore gave Del Rio written permission to leave for France, he has no other credentials. My telegram of September 5, 10 p.m., was based upon [Page 529] telephone request received at my residence from the Governor’s office saying that Governor desired me to take Del Rio on the Kane. After a conference with the Governor yesterday afternoon he telephoned to me personally at 10 o’clock last night saying that Del Rio’s mission would have to be regarded as unofficial even though bishops intended he should represent Government. In my opinion the case should be annulled until it is evident that the Government and the insurgents will take into consideration recommendations for the exchange of prisoners.