852.00/7695: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 6—12:55 p.m.]
544. An official of the Foreign Office has confirmed the press report that the Spanish Embassy at Paris delivered a note last night to the French Government reviewing the situation in Spain, particularly with regard to nonintervention, and requesting the permission of the French Government to buy arms in France. The official stated that the Foreign Office was studying this matter prior to deciding what reply to make.
He indicated that this request was embarrassing to the French Government due on the one hand to the pressure of left political parties here to have France intervene in Spain and on the other hand to the attitude of England in support of nonintervention.