852.00/3724: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received November 10—6:45 p.m.]
X–301. President of Supreme Court, Mariano Gomez, as ranking member of Government in Madrid but on his own initiative, called [Page 756] upon Chilean Ambassador, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and upon British and French representatives and myself this afternoon to express his great concern over possibility of masses getting out of hand if rebel bombardment of civilian population of Madrid continues. He described his own efforts to assure proper trial of prisoners and in general to assist Government and present military Junta in maintaining public order and preventing outburst of unconstrained mob fury. He declared that although the Government had wished to transfer Supreme Court to Valencia he had opposed it believing that in remaining here judicial authorities could assist Junta in maintaining public order. He concluded by requesting that diplomatic representatives jointly and individually support efforts of military and civilian authorities in Madrid to maintain order and policy of serenity. I assume the British Embassy was in close and friendly communication with the present authorities and lent its moral support to their very laudable endeavors in the above sense.
From personal conversation with prominent members of the Junta now governing Madrid and from such evidence of its efforts to maintain order as that indicated in my telegram No. X–299 of November 10, noon,87 I am convinced that authorities are doing everything possible to control situation. Nevertheless every new bombardment of Madrid with ensuing killing and wounding of women and children in particular adds fuel to popular wrath which may seek revenge especially upon political prisoners. Leading authorities Diplomatic Corps this evening discussed above situation and it was agreed that delegation including British and Argentine Governments would consider means of transmitting communication to General Franco the rebel commander requesting cessation of aerial bombardment of Madrid and limitation of artillery bombardment to fortified positions. At the same time this delegation will call upon military governor of Madrid tomorrow to request that in return guarantee of safety of political prisoners be given and utmost efforts used to maintain internal order in this city.
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