124.52/124: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin)57
140. Your X–175, September 28, 11 a.m.58 You are entirely correct in your interpretation of the last paragraph of the Department’s 134, September 22, 3 p.m. For obvious reasons we could not undertake to assume responsibility for the use of the Embassy as a place of refuge in the absence of any American official. We desire, therefore, that if you withdraw from Madrid the Embassy premises shall be closed and the senior Spanish employee shall act merely as their custodian. If this employee lives on the premises you may leave with him the keys to his quarters but you should take with you all other keys and lock and seal the same and all outside doors and windows. If the confidential archives are too bulky to take with you you may destroy them or leave them at the Embassy in the locked and sealed safe as seems best in your judgment. You should, of course, before leaving make every effort to get in touch with the remaining Americans and offer them the opportunity of leaving with you.
On closing the Embassy all members of the American staff should leave Madrid together. Fuqua’s orders are to accompany you and to stay with you as long as you remain in Spain. He has been directed not to mention in the meanwhile any possibility of his eventually proceeding to Lisbon.