352.1121 Patriarca, Vincent J./30: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 6—6:05 p.m.]
X–285. My telegram No. X–264, October 29, 8 p.m.81 Because of dangerous public state of mind threatening his safety I requested Minister of State this afternoon to use his personal influence to have Patriarca turned over to the Embassy.82 After further conference this evening with Minister of Air who has final authority he ordered his release. Patriarca is now safe in the Embassy. No limits were placed on his release. Minister of Air said that he agreed to release him because of fear that popular feeling might make it impossible to protect him in prison.
It is requested that this action be kept strictly confidential for the time being to prevent press reports reaching Madrid, possibly endangering [Page 753] safety of the Embassy. This request is also made by Spanish authorities.