352.115/301: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State

754. Department’s 378, August 21, 3 p.m. I have reached an agreement with the Ministry of Finance (which Señor Negrín assured me this noon meets with his approval) whereby lists of valuables possessed [Page 544] by Americans may be submitted to the Ministry of State by the Embassy in lieu of the procedure stipulated in the decree.97

The British are taking no action. The French have protested against the short time limit and will cite their general treaty of friendship in warning against confiscation “which the decree does not contemplate in the case of foreigners”.

Thurston
  1. By instruction No. 462, September 2, the Department approved his action in obtaining this agreement (352.115/306).