811.51652/8: Telegram
The Consul General at Barcelona (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 17—9 a.m.]
Department’s telegram of September 10, 2 p.m. I concur in the opinion expressed in Embassy’s telegram September 14, 9 p.m. See Consulate General’s despatch No. 165, October 8, 1932.40 Preamble of [Page 719] the decree attempts, however, to justify itself as an emergency measure, viz., “special attention required under the present circumstances by the financial and economic organization in Cataluna has evidenced the need of foreseeing all the risks that might arise from the desire of hoarding gold, et cetera.” Final article also provides “this decree shall be reported in due time [to] the Parliament of Cataluna.”
- 2nd. There appears to be no provision authorizing or ordering opening of safe deposit boxes in the absence of the owner. Banks are required to advise clients that such boxes must be opened and thereafter responsibility appears to rest on the client.
- 3rd. Interested party receives a certificate for gold deposited, but no payment of cash is made or provided for at any future date. Pesetas proposed to be given represent Spanish official rate on the date of the decree. Bank understands rate is intended to be used to give a value to all gold in uncoined forms.
- Not printed.↩