852.00/3447: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:35 p.m.]
X–211. In an interview with Minister of State today he asked me to communicate the following confidentially to my Government:
The Spanish Government is seriously disturbed by the actions of certain diplomatic missions in Madrid in giving asylum to numerous Spaniards known to be hostile to the regime. The Latin American representatives have been particularly active in this connection and despite the provisions of the Treaty of Montevideo63 on diplomatic asylum they have not, except in the case of the Mexican Ambassador, furnished the names of these refugees to the Government. The Spanish Government has never adhered to this treaty, but in its desire to maintain the most cordial possible relations with diplomatic missions in Madrid, it has heretofore disregarded these actions. It is not concerned over the giving of asylum to women and children but is concerned over the protection afforded to men known to be enemies of the regime. The Spanish Government, however, has now obtained information that some 150 Spaniards given asylum in the Chilean Embassy are actively plotting against the Government and that they have arms, including machine guns, in their possession. The Council of Ministers considered this question at its session last Saturday and the Minister of Interior, responsible for the internal protection of Madrid, stated that he could not continue to accept this responsibility if he were not permitted to take measures against these activities. He [Page 738] wished to order search of Chilean Embassy but Minister of State vetoed it. However, he was authorized to place police in houses adjoining Embassy as precautionary measure. At the same time, he was authorized to relieve present guards at Chilean Embassy because some of them had become involved in the conspiracy against the Government. The guards were accordingly relieved with the consent of the Chilean Ambassador on the pretext that they had to be instructed in the use of new weapons.
The latter matter was discussed last evening at a special meeting of the Diplomatic Corps called by the Chilean Ambassador who is acting drastically [doyen?]. The Chilean Ambassador stated that he had permitted the guards to be relieved at the written request of the Minister of Interior with the understanding that they would be returned in a few days. The representative of Salvador reported that he had heard that these guards were now under arrest. The Chilean Ambassador then said that he would demand their immediate return and make a capital issue of it. The guards have not been replaced at any other mission and the Minister of State told me today that it was not intended to do so. He declared, however, that he would not accede to request of Chilean Ambassador that his original guards be returned. He adds that he had made similar confidential statement to British Chargé d’Affaires only.
As reported in previous telegrams, and especially my number X–191, October 6, 10 p.m.,64 protection given to Spaniards, enemies of regime, by certain missions has been carried to such extent as to raise question of overt act of hostility toward Spanish Government. Minister of State showed me letters intercepted from Spanish refugees in diplomatic missions here alleged to contain military information to rebels. Foreign passports also have been issued to known Spaniards. All these acts raise possibility of serious diplomatic incident, as certain diplomatic representatives may seek joint action diplomatically in support of Chilean Ambassador, while on the other hand Minister of State informed me he was considering requesting his recall. I shall take no compromising action without Department’s prior approval.
- Convention on Rights and Duties of States, signed December 26, 1933, Foreign Relations, 1933, vol. iv, p. 214.↩
- Not printed.↩