701.2152/7: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:45 p.m.]
X–58. Department’s telegram No. 86 of August 14, 6 p.m. Apartment house in which Colombian Legation is located fired upon by [apparent omission] night of August 8 apparently in belief snipers firing from the roof. Colombian Minister has officially declared that attack not directed at his Legation. Minister informs me that no Colombian nationals outside of staff in Legation but owner of apartment house and son entered it surreptitiously and he has given them accommodation. They are Monarchists and he therefore fears possible attempt by militia to enter Legation. He has asked and obtained permission from the German Government to leave Madrid with his staff on Lufthansa plane, date not yet determined. For the present he feels Government’s guarantee of protection of Legation sufficient. He has not asked to come here.
Situation described third paragraph my telegram No. X–30 of August 4, 7 p.m. still obtains. Until the number of Americans in Madrid can be reduced, I believe requests for refuge in this Embassy from diplomatic representatives and nationals of other countries should be discouraged as in Department’s telegram No. 70 of August 5, 4 p.m.