352.0022/41: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Philip) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:11 p.m.]
38. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has requested me to inform the Department that his Government entertains grave fears for the [Page 527] safety of the 1500 Spanish refugees still remaining in the precincts of its Embassy at Madrid. 500 of these are men of military age, the exchange of which for prisoners now held by the revolutionists has been accorded in principle by the Spanish Government. A cable received from the Chilean Ambassador now in Belgium states that the electric light of the Embassy in Madrid has been intentionally cut off and it is apprehended that similar steps will be taken to deprive it of water.
In view of this perilous situation the Foreign Minister on behalf of the Chilean Government requests the Government of the United States to make representations to the Spanish Government to hasten the arrangements for the exchange of the refugees of military age and to afford adequate protection to the remaining refugees now in the Chilean Embassy until their transportation to a foreign country can be assured.
Similar requests have been made of the British, French, Spanish, and other diplomatic representatives here.