852.00/4051: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 11—12:20 a.m.]
X–384. Information from Government source accepted as reliable is that rebel expeditionary force in Majorca is preparing to effect landing somewhere on Mediterranean coast. Force is composed of foreigners chiefly and will be convoyed by German and Italian ships and air fleet. Spanish Government has been stirred to make hurried preparations for defense of the coast line near Valencia. Defense plans placed in charge of Russian General whom Military Attaché met yesterday and who is employing international column troops rushed here from reserves at Albincete [Albacete?] to occupy positions of readiness at key points for easy and immediate despatch to selected beach line fronts now being prepared for defense. Coastal observation stations with motor boats armed with machine guns patrolling adjacent waters have been established and command and communication system organized with control in Valencia where Russian commander and mixed Spanish and Russian general staff are located.
The Government expects this operation at any time and estimates that it is to be a coastal raid or attack to gain beach head positions from which to initiate land operations. It believes, furthermore, that it is consulting with the Madrid situation to relieve pressure upon rebel failure on that front.
[Page 606]Regardless of accuracy of above information the Spanish Government believes it and is making feverish efforts to counteract it.