852.00/5490: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3 p.m.]
642. My 639, May 18, 6 p.m. After a meeting last night of the Council of Ministers the following statement was issued with respect to persistent rumors of an impending armistice to permit the withdrawal of volunteers:
“The Government wishes to make clear in categorical form with respect to such reports that the order to cease fire will be given only when the last enemy is crushed. Let it be understood that neither now nor ever will we accept compromises or compositions with the enemy of our people.”
A similar statement was made day before yesterday by Negrin to a foreign correspondent, and both are in line with a pronouncement by the Government upon taking office that it represents all the parties united in the undertaking to defeat the rebellion.