352.1115/280c: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to All American Consuls in Spain72
In view of the serious conditions existing in Spain which appear to promise no immediate abatement and in view of the apparent lack of adequate security for the lives of American nationals, I feel that it would be wise for American consular officers in Spain to consider the desirability of advising all American citizens within their respective jurisdictions to withdraw to places of safety or to endeavor to reach points from which they can readily be evacuated. Conditions necessarily vary in the separate consular districts and I must consequently leave to the judgment of the individual consular officers concerned whether the situation within their jurisdiction is sufficiently serious to warrant such action.
[Page 651]By way of suggestion, such action, if taken, might take the form of a third person circular addressed to American nationals in your consular district stating that in view of the present disturbed situation, the Consulate earnestly advises all American nationals in the district to withdraw.
- Sent also to the Embassy at Madrid as telegram No. 57, referring to Department’s circular telegram of July 26, 7 p.m. (not printed).↩