852.1115/681c: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the U. S. S. “Oklahoma”

Your telegram transmitting message from American Consul at Seville90 regarding evacuation of Americans from Granada.

We are unable to say definitely whether proposed evacuation of Americans by military plane would conflict with any other plans. We have authorized our officers at Madrid and Malaga to cooperate fully with their colleagues and local officials in any plan of evacuation which appeared to them to be feasible but we are without information as to the present status of any such plans.

While we are extremely desirous of evacuating Americans, we cannot refrain from pointing out that the suggested use of a military plane from Seville would appear to be hazardous, particularly in view of the fact that the afternoon newspapers in Washington report that Government planes are bombing Granada. In the absence of an effective truce scrupulously adhered to by both sides, it would appear highly dangerous to attempt to evacuate Americans from Granada by military plane from Seville.

Please transmit this message immediately to American Consul at Seville.

Phillips
  1. Not printed.