852.00/5632: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received June 3—10:25 a.m.]
272. Learn from governmental sources thought reliable that bombing of Deutschland was due to belief that it was the insurgent ship Baleares. Government having paid penalty for blunder at Almeria will not make this excuse however. It is more concerned over reports from Rome that Mussolini plans a “punitive expedition”. A strong and thus far successful counter offensive of the Basques makes less certain the taking of Bilbao. A feeling here that should insurgents fail there, there is a grave possibility that Italy may throw discretion to [Page 323] the winds and gravely endanger European peace. My colleagues here all agree that the present situation constitutes the greatest danger of European involvement since the war began. More fear here of rash action by Italy than by Germany.