852.00/5571: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 31—2:35 p.m.]
324. My 31st, 7 p.m. Foreign Office has just informed me Ambassador Henderson without awaiting instructions saw Neurath this [Page 313] afternoon who stated: “After 6 hours tussle with Hitler” that German Government was instructing its appropriate diplomatic missions of German Government’s decision to withdraw from Non-intervention Committee until adequate satisfaction received from Valencia Government. Furthermore, that the immediate reprisals at Almeria were directed against Valencia Government arsenals there.
Italian Embassy have advised Foreign Office they will temporarily withdraw representative from Non-intervention Committee meetings until present situation adjusted. Foreign Office believes this withdrawal of Germans and Italians from Non-intervention Committee is temporary and does not believe further meeting of Committee will be summoned until atmosphere somewhat cooler.
High Foreign Office officials speaking very confidentially points out that Valencia Government has no Spanish airmen equipped for bombing at such distance as Ibiza and restated previously reported opinion that any time there is a “general atmosphere of improvement in work of Non-intervention Committee” incidents which may well arise under Soviet inspiration invariably occur.
Foreign Office confirmed strong representations made by Eden to German Chargé d’Affaires this morning and added that German Chargé had replied his Government’s action in bombing arsenals at Almeria not precipitate since on Friday last German warnings had been given to Valencia Government.