852.00/3756
Memorandum by the Special Assistant to the Secretary of State and Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs (Dunn)
The Acting Secretary received the Spanish Ambassador this afternoon. The Ambassador stated that he had come on instructions from [Page 554] his Government to transmit a telegram he had received from his Government, a translation of which follows.
“The Government has decided to temporarily establish the capital of the Spanish Republic in Valencia, from where it is ready to continue the fight against the rebels with redoubled energy on all fronts, and particularly on the central front, coordinating all fighting elements offered by the vehement desire of all loyal regions to Spain, to mobilize themselves in a combined effort to save Madrid. Upon taking such a decision the Government, even against its reiterated resistance to leave Madrid, has taken into consideration the definite advice of its military commanders, and authentic information from the rebel side, according to which they count on a large scale upon the possibility of isolating the legitimate Government. They, the rebels, were advised to carry out this manoeuvre by their foreign allies with the idea of facilitating their recognition by the foreign governments. Before leaving Madrid the Spanish Government left everything ready for the defense of the heroic city. The change of seat of the Government does not mean in anyway during the war alternatives, abandonment or retreat, but, on the contrary, it is a new impulse for the final fight.”
The Ambassador stated that the insurgents had not been able to enter the city of Madrid and that it would be extremely difficult for them to do so in view of the natural advantages for defensive purposes of the conformation of the ground on the outskirts of Madrid. He spoke particularly of the form of the Manzanares River. He stated that while the river itself was very shallow, probably not more than two feet deep, it flowed through a wide and deep declivity in the ground and the banks on each side were extremely high; that the banks on the Madrid side of the river were made higher by retaining walls and parapets, in fact to a great height which gave the ground on that side the command of the approaching country.
The Ambassador also stated that he had been instructed to ask to be received by the President as he had some important matters to discuss with the President and inquired whether an appointment could be made for him to be received at the White House.
The Acting Secretary stated that he would transmit his request to the President as soon as possible and he knew that although the President was heavily burdened with appointments and press of official public business at this time he would make every effort to receive him as soon as convenient if it could possibly be arranged and that the Ambassador would be notified as soon as a reply was received from the Executive Office.