352.1115/2336: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received November 23—9:35 p.m.]
X–341. Department’s telegram No. 201, November 23, 11 a.m.,4 received and instructions are being carried out as rapidly as possible. As reported in my telegram No. 336, November 22, 6 p.m., it is doubtful whether more than a small proportion of the 170 American nationals now in Madrid will decide to leave. The number deciding to [Page 775] leave will not be known with any exactitude until tomorrow afternoon. Transportation facilities promised by authorities at Valencia will not be available to leave Madrid until Thursday morning at the earliest. Message from Admiral Fairfield just received advises that Hatfield will be at Valencia next Wednesday. In view of above situation respectfully request Admiral be instructed not to proceed until further notice. In any event not more than one ship will be necessary unless there is some other consideration than the immediate evacuation of Americans.
In this connection it is desired respectively [respectfully] to put on record that every American member of the staff is entirely willing to continue on duty in Madrid and that their evacuation is not at the request or the intimation of a desire to leave on the part of either myself, Consul Johnson or the Military Attaché.