852.00/4725: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Atherton) to the Secretary of State

73. On Monday the London Non-Intervention Subcommittee reached provisional agreement that the prohibition of volunteers should begin at midnight on Saturday next, and that the control scheme for Spain should come into operation at midnight March 6th. However, up to the present moment the Portuguese Ambassador has received no instructions from his Government to permit him to accept foreign observers on Portuguese frontiers (see my telegram 63, February [Page 243] 12, 7 p.m., and previous). Although the various countries on Monday had accepted the prohibition of volunteers independently of the matter of control, in yesterday’s meeting the French Ambassador stated that he was unable now to accept one provision without the other, and that in view of the necessity for passing necessary legislation to render the provision regarding volunteers effective before next Saturday, the French desired immediate action.

Foreign Office informs me British Government are in an embarrassing position since the Portuguese Ambassador has informed them that his Government is willing to accept British observers attached to the British Embassy in Lisbon, but that the British Foreign Office is not free formally to advise the Non-intervention Committee this. Furthermore, the British Government do not yet know what, if any, conditions will be imposed upon British observers so designated although the Portuguese Ambassador is hoping for instructions from his Government to discuss this at the Foreign Office today. If the matter is not cleared up immediately a postponement for the prohibition of volunteers from Saturday next to a later date may be necessary.

In the matter of control the Non-intervention Technical Subcommittee is still considering detailed plans for cooperation in a naval cordon and until the recommendations of the Technical Committee have been reported, it has been urged that the various governments representatives on the Committee should refrain from any statements. (This particularly applies to participation by Soviet warships.)

The Non-intervention Committee is scheduled to meet again tomorrow.

Official circles continue to express concern over the French economic situation, especially as Germany is reported as hopeful it may bring about the fall of the Blum Government.

Copy to Paris.

Atherton