352.115/35: Telegram

The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Secretary of State

X–75. My telegram No. X–50 of August 10 [12] first paragraph. In view of large and increasing number of requests from local and Barcelona importers of American merchandise, please advise immediately what if any action we can take.

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Embassy has received communication from Foreign Office requesting removal of the Embassy certificate from establishment of Victoriano Simon, custodian of stocks of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company mentioned in the Department’s telegram of July 24th,95 on the ground that an establishment owned by Spanish citizen is subject to local law regardless of legal relations between Spanish firm and foreign supplier. Simon, who has left Madrid, has been operating in Spain as a Spanish company under his own name although he was apparently merely an employee of the American firm. Am withholding reply to Foreign Office pending receipt of instruction from the Department.96

Wendelin
  1. Not printed.
  2. Department’s telegram No. 116, September 10, 7 p.m., to the Third Secretary conveyed detailed information regarding the American ownership of the company, and authorized him to communicate the facts to the Foreign Office with request that the property be treated as American and to express hope that certificate on building would not be disturbed (352.115 Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co./12).