852.2221/1031: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:25 p.m.]
1003. Embassy’s 1002, July 13, 4 p.m.83 The morning papers publish the text of a note from Del Vayo to the British Chargé d’Affaires acknowledging the receipt of the plan for the withdrawal of foreign volunteers. The note cites the several occasions, beginning in February 1937, on which the Spanish Government has expressed its advocacy of the withdrawal of all foreigners participating in the Spanish [Page 229] conflict, and states that it is in this spirit that it is now studying the plan.
Senor Del Vayo stated to me yesterday that in addition to the note above described he has also addressed a note to the British and French Governments requesting assurances that if upon the expiration of the “period of grace” mentioned in the plan (I have not seen its text) definite progress toward execution of the plan has not been made the present restrictions of the nonintervention policy be lifted as regards the Spanish Government. He states that approval of the plan of withdrawal is not, however, contingent upon acquiescence in this suggestion.
- Not printed.↩