852.00/2579: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France
Your August 13 via Cayuga.92 Navy Department has ordered destroyers Hatfield and Kane to Spanish waters to relieve Oklahoma. These vessels will sail Monday. Navy Department states that it will be impossible to provide sufficient vessels to make sure that a vessel is in each port in which we have a Consulate but we shall make every possible effort to make such use of the available vessels as to provide the required vessels for the evacuation of American citizens and, if necessary, our Consuls. We shall give every consideration to your recommendations regarding requirements at particular ports.
We have repeatedly urged all Americans to leave Spain especially at Madrid where, as you say, danger is greatest. Nearly 2 weeks ago Wendelin obtained written statements of the reasons for not leaving of those Americans who remained.
- Not printed.↩