852.00/4816
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
The Spanish Ambassador came in and protested very earnestly against the attitude of the State Department in opposition to the issuance of passports to certain American doctors and nurses who propose to take medical supplies to Spain and dispense them there. I went over the entire neutrality rules with the Ambassador, reminding him that the Red Cross was the one neutral agency in each country to dispense medical and other humanitarian aid. I concluded by saying that while the matter had been given full consideration I would reexamine one or two phases, in order to show my deep interest in the problem presented, but that of course I could not hold out any particular hope that our decision would be changed.44
- For statements regarding the issuance of passports, see Department of State, Press Releases, March 6, 1937, p. 125; March 13, 1937, p. 139; and March 20, 1937, p. 154.↩