852.01/354
The Consul at Seville (Bay) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 29.]
Sir: With reference to the Department’s telegram No. 12 of April 2, 11 A.M., authorizing me to proceed to Burgos for informal and unofficial conversations in connection with the protection of American interests with authorities in Burgos and directing me to report fully on my return to Seville, I have the honor to inform the Department that upon my arrival in Burgos the evening of April 11th, I telephoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to learn when it would be most convenient to receive me and to whom I should present myself. 11 o’clock the following morning was designated for my visit and I was told that Señor Vidal, Chief of Political Section, would receive me. Upon presenting myself at the designated hour, I was promptly received.
Señor Vidal said that while our Consuls have been permitted to function, and he assured me they would be permitted to continue functioning, there was no agreement or understanding in regard to them. Some kind of an arrangement, he said, seemed desirable in order to prevent the possibilities of misunderstandings, and he mentioned my recent refusal to authenticate the official character and seal of an officer of the Ministry in connection with documents for use in the United States as a case that would not arise if some arrangement were in effect. At the same time, the National Government, he said, had many interests in the United States and a large number of Spanish citizens were there without representation. He suggested the designation of agents and subagents to care for the interests of each government, similar to those established with the British Government though he did not mention that country. He indicated that with such an arrangement the Franco Government would desire at least an agent at New York and at Washington. An agreement to appoint such agents, he said, might be reached informally, without even an exchange of written communications. He asked me to convey the foregoing to the American Government for consideration and to address him informally and directly when I had received its reply.
As no other subjects were brought up my visit terminated with an exchange of remarks on the latest military developments, Holy Week, and other current topics. My visit lasted about fifteen minutes in all.
Respectfully yours,