852.00/3728: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received November 10—9:15 a.m.]
153. Department’s B–60. If Madrid falls France certainly will not rush to the recognition of Franco but the capture of the capital will change the picture, Herbette, French Ambassador, told me this morning. When I saw him before as I reported in my No. 137,93 he thought after Madrid’s fall the rebels might be recognized as a belligerent power. Today he doubted this because of the possible serious political repercussions and embarrassments in France and also because with such recognition the rebels could take their ships into ports now denied them resulting almost certainly in incidents in the Mediterranean.
He says that with Madrid’s fall a minor member of his staff, the Consul and the Military Attaché will remain in Madrid and the Embassy at St. Jean de Luz. He thinks the government of Azaña undoubtedly [Page 556] [apparent omission] the continuing constitutional government of Spain but that it remains to be seen whether it can exercise real authority over the territory it holds after the fall of Madrid. Should it clearly fail in this, the recognition of Franco would be hastened.
He agrees with my impression that the combined strength of real Fascists and real Communists does not represent 10 percent of the people but that the contest is tragically taking on the aspect of a war in Spain between Germany and Italy on one side and Russia on the other and he says that France has no disposition to become involved in such a quarrel. He fears that if this struggle is prolonged too long it will result in the breaking up of the Little Entente on the same issues and precipitate a European war. For the moment he thinks watchful waiting the safest policy for England and France and, he added, the United States.
His information from the Balearic Islands is that Italy is completely in control but he doubts the permanency of the situation which he ascribes to the irresponsible actions of another d’Annunzio in another Fiume.
I also saw Chilton, British Ambassador, today. He has had no direct intimation from London regarding the question of recognition. If Madrid falls the Secretary and Consul will remain in Madrid without recognition of the Franco regime to look after British interests and the Commercial Attaché will be sent there at once for commercial purposes and especially for the sale of badly needed coal. He likewise understands the Balearic Islands completely dominated by the Italians. I have the strong impression that the British are miffed by Del Vayo’s sharp reply to Eden’s note on prisoners and would like to recognize Franco on the slightest pretext but will act in accord with France, which will not grant recognition merely on the taking of Madrid.
My own impression is that our course should be determined on the effects of the loss of Madrid and on the demonstration of the government’s capacity to maintain its authority, wage war with reasonable hope of success and prevent anarchy in Catalonia. We certainly ought not to consider recognition before France and England but act simultaneously with them.
The Fascist powers and their satellites among the minor nations, and Cuba and the South Americans except Mexico and possibly Brazil (despite action of its Legislative body in sending congratulations to the “heroes of the Alcazar” and the decided pro-Fascist partiality of its Ambassador here) all intense partisans of the rebels from the first day of the rebellion, will probably recognize at once. The ambition of Azaña and his government at outbreak of rebellion was to cultivate close relations with the United States and England. The exigencies of war have brought Extreme Left personalities into the Government [Page 557] and the enthusiasms of these are for Russia and Mexico partly because these alone have sold war material to the Government. Thus far even these Extreme Leftists have been notably friendly and considerate to us.
The Franco “government” is most intimately tied up with Germany, Italy and Portugal and it is commonly assumed in diplomatic circles that it will be extremely partial to them. Soldiers in San Sebastián wear a badge with German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish flags together. These people are hostile to France and thus far have been perfectly correct and outwardly friendly to us and England.
- Telegram No. 137, October 20, 4 p.m., not printed.↩