852.00/8039
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 6.]
Sir: With reference to the Embassy’s telegram No. 387 of May 9, 6 p.m., and previous despatches on Non-intervention, I have the honor to report that the Chairman’s Sub–Committee met again yesterday and with the exception of Soviet Russia all the Powers represented agreed to the revised British plan for the withdrawal of foreign auxiliaries from Spain. According to the communiqué issued to the Press the main provisions of the plan are as follows:
Commissions composed of three members each should be despatched to both sides in Spain to determine the number of non-Spaniards participating in the Civil War. These would be classified as belonging to Navy, Army, Air Force or civilian categories.
Supervision should be re-established over the Spanish frontiers by land and sea, strengthened above the existing scheme in the latter respect for 15 days after the adoption of the resolution, then for 30 days while the commissions are at work, and for a further 10 days should it appear that withdrawals will take place but are delayed for purely technical reasons.
[Page 199]When the commissions have counted the non-Spaniards a joint commission should be formed to survey reports from both sides and to agree upon further practical steps for evacuation.
The Chairman of the Sub–Committee, the Earl of Plymouth, said that the difficulties which had been encountered were largely responsible for delay in easing the international tension and urged the delegates to reach complete agreement as rapidly as possible. There was no longer time for unprofitable discussion of details.
Despite this warning the Soviet representative agreed with the rest of the Committee on only one point, namely, the fixing of the figure of 10,000 as the coefficient in the formula for determining the stage in the evacuation when belligerent rights might be granted. It will be recalled, as recorded in the telegram under reference, that whereas the British, Italian, German and French Governments had previously agreed on this figure, the Soviet Government was holding out for 20,000.
According to the communiqué, the Committee will meet next week to determine whether it can proceed with its plan in the absence of unanimity. The Committee will also try to ascertain whether its members are ready to provide the necessary funds to meet the cost of carrying out the plan which is estimated to be between £1,000,000 and £2,000,000. Meanwhile the delegates have sent, through Lord Plymouth, an urgent message to the Soviet Government suggesting that there might be a change of attitude in view of the unanimity shown by all Powers except Russia.
In the course of the meeting it was revealed that some weeks ago when the British steamer Greatend was bombed on her way to Valencia she sank to the water line and the Master and crew managed to land but the observation officer, an Italian, was prevented from landing by the Spanish Government authorities. Subsequently, the Greatend was again attacked from the air and this time set on fire. It was thereupon suggested that the observer should be transferred to another British ship “but there seems to have been reluctance to take him on board.” Later the Master of the British merchant ship Thorpeness took him off the burning vessel only to have him seized by the authorities on shore and put into prison. The Committee yesterday determined to demand his release. The appropriate steps are to be taken by the British Government in the Committee’s name.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy