352.1115/655a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin)
76. The following telegram, dated August 10, 4 p.m., has been received from Ambassador Bowers:
“British Ambassador informs me British Government has urged all British subjects to leave Spain and has authorized British officials Madrid and all other Spanish cities to leave after evacuation of all [Page 666] British subjects who wish to go provided situation becomes untenable. British Vice Consul Gijon already evacuated.
“Italian Ambassador tells me all have been asked to leave Spain and that Italian consulate officers Barcelona now on Italian ship in harbor believe all American women should be asked to leave Madrid at once.”
I cannot urge too strongly that all American citizens who can possibly do so take advantage of the present facilities to proceed to places of safety and I assume that you are continuing to urge them to do so.
I leave to your discretion the matter of your own departure and that of other officials of the Government in Madrid. You are, of course, authorized to depart if and when you consider it no longer safe to remain.