852.2221/317: Telegram
The Consul General at Marseille (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 1—3:48 p.m.]
My March 29, 1 p.m. regarding American volunteers in prison in Perpignan. Thompson reports from Perpignan there are 15 not 13 such American citizens, all having passports stamped not valid for travel in Spain. Prisoners claim tourist status, that they had no intention to go to Spain, and that they have sufficient funds or the means to obtain them to continue contemplated travels in Europe after their release and to return eventually to the United States. Prisoners will be tried in about 2 weeks and if found guilty will receive probably 1-month sentences counting from day of arrest to be followed by expulsion order. Passports being held by court as evidence and will be delivered to the Consulate after the trial. If police escort to port of embarkation desired to prevent some effort again to enter Spain application should be made to French Minister of the Interior. Prisoners being defended by French attorney retained by Comité d’Entre Aide Franco-Espagnol, Beziers. Two additional prisoners are Joe Grecs from Cleveland and Tauno Sundsten from [Page 501] Detroit. Complete and corrected list of names and of passport numbers American relatives, et cetera, being sent by mail.