124.52/225: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received February 21—5:25 p.m.]
454. Am prepared to go to Barcelona on your orders and after arrangements can be made following receipt of the further instructions promised. However, you should have a clear picture of the significance of the change. In making inquiries at Barcelona regarding Embassy site Thurston accepts the order as a “change in major [policy?],” as open to such interpretation and thinks it a mistake particularly at this time. He advises that such change should be “most carefully timed”. Colonel Fuqua, Military Attaché, wires me from there today: “Suggest no change. Your view is sound.” This refers to my view of the inevitable interpretation at this juncture. Whoever, if anyone, is advising you about this Embassy is not of it and clearly not in touch with the undercurrents here.
As matters stand we have maintained our neutrality and the respect of both sides. In the case of the Nantucket Chief and the Fernandez case23 I have just demonstrated the functioning of the Embassy here and our need here when such matters rise. A change at this moment would make no real contribution to the Government and would create hostility on the other side. At this critical juncture in events it does not appear prudent to change a policy to which we have adhered to so long. Have hesitated to send this lest it be misinterpreted but in a [Page 161] matter involving policy affecting our relations with both sides I conceive it my plain duty to tell you what I think.24