852.00/8667
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received December 2.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that the Hemming Commission has left Spain and that it is the understanding here, unverified however by any competent authority, since the Hemming Commission was most reticent, that Franco refused to consider sending, not all, but any, more Italians or Germans out of Spain until belligerent rights had been previously granted.
Since the Non-intervention Committee has taken the position positively that belligerent rights will not be granted until all foreigners are removed from the fighting forces, and since Mr. Chamberlain has so assured the Commons time and again, this would seem to mean that the granting of such rights is very remote.
[Page 257]Even so it is commonly believed in circles usually dependable that Mr. Chamberlain, in his eagerness to give further assistance to Franco, and thus to appease Hitler and Mussolini, is anxious to grant such rights regardless of the pledge. When interrogated in the Commons this week Mr. Butler, Sub–Minister of Foreign Affairs, was far from downright in his answers.
It has been thought probable that one of the purposes of the visit of Chamberlain and Halifax to Paris today and tomorrow is to persuade or bully the French into agreeing to this course. However Bonnet has assured Mr. Blum2 that there is no possibility of France agreeing to this course, and Mr. Blum has given this to the press; and the Committee on Foreign Relations in the French Parliament has unanimously taken a stand against it.
In view of these discussions, whatever may happen in Paris this week, I am inclosing as part of this despatch an editorial from the Vanguardia of November 22, “Chamberlain a Paris”, and another from El Diluvio of the same date on the same subject: “La Solucion no esta en Paris; esta en Espana.”3 Since these papers reach me just as the pouch is going out I regret I do not have the facilities to send translations.
Respectfully yours,