852.00/6972: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 24—1 a.m.]
828. My 827, November 20, 7 [11] p.m.12 The Minister of State assured me yesterday that no extensive preparations in progress or contemplated with a view to an armistice or mediation. He likewise refuted rumors of impending reorganization of the Government.
At the close of our conversation Señor Giral remarked that the widespread belief that something in the nature of a cessation of hostilities is being brought about, might be based upon the feeling that once the commissions contemplated by the Van Dulm-Hemming13 report come to Spain, they will notify the Non-intervention Committee that they cannot carry out their task while fighting is in progress. Should hostilities [be?] suspended to facilitate their work, it is assumed [Page 457] that a formal armistice might develop. The Spanish Government probably will reply to the British note of November 6 during the course of the week.
The Van Dulm–Hemming report apparently envisages the removal of 150,000 foreign volunteers. The cost of its execution is set at pounds 1,500,000 to be borne in equal shares by England, France, Germany, Italy and Russia.
Repeated to Bowers and Paris.