852.00/6319: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 29—11:35 p.m.]
757. The fall of Santander has not yet been officially admitted41 although fragmentary news items and editorials pointing to the danger of the “fifth column” as exemplified there have probably appraised [apprised?] the literate section of the population of that event. Activities on the Aragon front are on the other hand given great prominence with the obvious purpose of diverting attention from the north and of creating the impression that a victorious offensive of considerable importance is in progress. Negrín has informed me, however, that this offensive was designed to draw off enemy forces from the Santander front where it had been expected that a more determined resistance would be made at Reinosa. It is not contemplated, for example, that Zaragoza will be taken—unless unexpected weakness should be encountered.
The Government appears to be confident of its ability to hold its ground in eastern Spain and to place equal faith with respect to its eventual triumph in its growing army, alleged disruptive influences at work within the insurrectionist ranks and vague hopes of favorable international developments—whether a general war or action leading to the cessation of foreign interference is not apparent.
In the meanwhile the Government is confronted by several potentially dangerous problems. These include the unremitting antagonisms between the elements supporting it, especially the C. N. T. and [Page 382] Communists, the shortage of bread and other articles of prime necessity as well as of fractional currency “peculiarly conducive to discontent” and the apparently increasing effectiveness of enemy naval operations against shipping in the Mediterranean which may curtail the supply of essentials such as gasoline. Furthermore, although information on this point is not obtainable the increasing preoccupation of the Government with respect to privately held wealth and foreign exchange may be symptomatic of the impending exhaustion of its funds.
Repeated to Ambassador Bowers and Paris.
- A communiqué dated August 29, and published in the newspapers of August 30 and 31, announced the fall of Santander.↩