852.00/2926: Telegram
The Consul at Seville (Bay) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2 p.m.]
Referring to Department’s telegram of August 30, 11 p.m. received August 31, 8 p.m.8 concerning attack on U. S. Destroyer Kane. I called upon General Queipo de Llano at midnight last night to convey to him the substance of the Department’s communication since General Franco is now in Caceres where he has established headquarters. The General immediately expressed his regret that this incident had occurred to an American vessel and added that certainly his forces had no reason for troubling American vessels. He professed no knowledge whatsoever of the incident and called his Chief of Staff and aviation liaison officer who likewise had no information. The General would not admit that any planes of his forces were involved in this incident and ventured to speak of a Russian plane believed to be operating in that vicinity as possibly guilty of the act in question. He said he would investigate into the matter, first with the authorities in Tetuan and then transmit all information to General Franco. Appropriate instructions he said would be given his air forces cautioning them to respect American vessels in all circumstances. Early this morning the General assured me that every one of his aviators had already been carefully instructed in the foregoing sense. He again expressed his regret that an American ship should have been involved in an attack as described and repeated his belief that the attacker might have been Russian. As soon as further report is received in this matter it will be telegraphed to the Department.