852.00/3267: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
Geneva, September 25, 1936—3
p.m.
[Received September 25—1:30 p.m.]
[Received September 25—1:30 p.m.]
354. My 340, September 21, 11 a.m.74
- 1.
- The Spanish Foreign Minister in the general discussion in the Assembly this morning made a vigorous plea for a better understanding of his Government’s moral and legal position.75 He insisted that the non-intervention agreement was contrary to international law and wholly to the advantage of the rebels. He denied any interference by Spain in the affairs of her neighbors but accused foreign states with political beliefs similar to those of the rebels of furnishing them with the means of continued resistance. He warned of foreign designs on Morocco and described Spain as a world battlefield of the conflicting ideals of democracy and oppression.
- 2.
- Continuous effort had been made during the last few days by a number of delegations particularly the British to persuade Del Vayo to keep his speech within bounds which would not precipitate controversial discussion of the points he would raise. Apparently either this effort was successful or Del Vayo himself considered restraint advisable in order not to create a reaction against him. It appears that a number of Latin American delegations were considering leaving the Assembly hall should Del Vayo make statements of a type which had been generally envisaged, and Saavedra Lamas raised in the Bureau his right to intervene in the event the speech in his view should become objectionable. I understand that the opinion was that he did not have such a right but that Saavedra Lamas had nevertheless intended taking such action should occasion arise.
Gilbert