852.00/3128: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:05 p.m.]
X–144. Department’s circular telegram of September 12, 2 p.m. and my telegram No. X–142 September 13, 4 p.m.35 Requested Quincy to [from?] Gibraltar to Alicante to evacuate people from Madrid precisely because very few of those here wish to leave. We have constantly urged American nationals in Madrid to leave Spain while the opportunity to do so was still open and the Consulate has now circulated a notice referring to the Embassy’s press announcement of the Secretary of State quoted in Department’s circular telegram September 10, 4 p.m. American nationals are again warned that if they decide to remain in Spain they do so at their own risk and upon their own responsibility. All Americans wishing to leave now are invited to see Consul Johnson who will advise them on what means may be available for evacuation during the next few days. No promise is made that evacuation by an American naval vessel will be possible.
For some time I have been convinced that very few American nationals still in Madrid were disposed to leave and have so reported to the Department. Since July 29th the Embassy has been open as a refuge for American nationals and those who have come here have [Page 714] been housed and fed at Government expense since July 26th. The railway line to Valencia and Alicante has been open and means of evacuation have been available. The Quincy has made five trips to Valencia and Alicante to evacuate Americans from Madrid. In view of the above facts Consul Johnson and I feel that the time has come to take a definite decision regarding the continued use of this Embassy as a place of refuge and I would therefore appreciate the Department’s opinion whether American nationals now in the Embassy should be notified to return to their homes if they are not disposed to leave Spain.
The following considerations are suggested in justification of such action:
- (1)
- American nationals were invited to come to the Embassy temporarily for refuge until means of safe evacuation became available and it was never intended that they should remain here indefinitely;
- (2)
- If the rebels should advance on Madrid and the Spanish Government should flee to Valencia or Alicante quick evacuation of the Embassy and Consulate staffs would not be possible while Americans remain in the Embassy;
- (3)
- The British and other foreign missions have already taken such action;
- (4)
- Local conditions do not justify use of the [Embassy?] as permanent refuge because of personal danger outside as shown by the fact that many Americans living in own homes have not been molested;
- (5)
- The increasing food shortage will probably induce many more American nationals to come to the Embassy simply as a place to live and with no intention of eventual evacuation;
- (6)
- If refuge in the Embassy is stopped, our food reserves for 100 people for 20 days can be conserved for use if means of evacuation are suddenly cut off, in which event American residents in Madrid could come here of course for temporary refuge;
- (7)
- As long as refuge in the Embassy is available increasing requests for asylum may be expected from nationals of other countries whose missions are closed to them.
The above considerations are put forward as objectively as possible for the Department’s consideration. If the Department feels that we should continue to afford refuge in the Embassy we are of course prepared to do so to the best of our ability. In this connection I may add that every effort is being made to keep expenditures to the minimum. If the Department authorizes the action suggested I would request that the Quincy be instructed to proceed to Alicante when requested by the Embassy probably within a week to evacuate Americans from Madrid who may decide to take advantage of this final opportunity. If the Embassy asylum is closed, the members of the staff will also return to their homes but provision will be made to house and feed the Embassy and Consulate guards as heretofore.
- Latter telegram not printed.↩