124.52/114a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin)
109. Your X–128, September 6, 11 p.m. We have already given you discretionary authority to close the Embassy and depart to a place of safety with the American members of your staff if in your judgment it becomes unsafe to remain in Madrid. Naturally the same authority was intended to apply to the Consulate. Normally, we would expect this discretionary authority to be exercised prior to any attack on Madrid which involved the use of gas. Because, however, of the possibility of an unexpected attack, perhaps from the air, do you consider it advisable for us to try to make arrangements with the Navy Department for you to be furnished with gas masks, from a naval [Page 700] vessel in Spanish waters, for the members of the staff? We could not consider sending gas masks for any other persons since we have urged them to depart and we expect them to do so. If you consider this step advisable for protection of members of staff, telegraph number of masks required.