124.52/233: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:58 p.m.]
926. Your 430, March 18, 6 p.m.34 Owing to the restricted area that is suitable and the limited accommodations therein, which for months past have been heavily taxed by the arrival of war refugees, Government personnel, and refugees from Barcelona following intensification of air raids in January, it has proved to be difficult to find adequate quarters for Embassy and Consulate General residence and office purposes outside Barcelona.
It is hoped, however, that negotiations can be concluded yet for a house at San Andres de Llavaneras,35 near Caldetas and about 25 miles from Barcelona, which will meet all requirements—including communications, and accessibility to the sea with a view to possible evacuation operations by Navy. Should this arrangement fail I shall then take over a small British-owned hotel at Tossa, some 25 miles further up the coast—at which point telephone, telegraph and highway communications also exist and which likewise is a suitable place for embarkation in launches.
I shall require a special rental and gasoline allotment in either case which at the maximum will aggregate $250 per month. While it is of course impossible to forecast such matters it is probable that these arrangements will not extend beyond a period of six months and perhaps much less.