Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1938, General, Volume I

352.115 Eastern States Petroleum Co./16: Telegram

The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Secretary of State

St. Jean de Luz, January 25, 1938—1 p.m.
[Received January 25—11 a.m.]

428. Your telegram No. B–401, January 24, 7 p.m.¹⁶ Have consulted with Yrujo¹⁷ and in view of the lack of authority in Nacho Enea¹⁸ have taken measures to secure release of the Nantucket Chief through Sangroniz. Am convinced that the insurgents will hold the ship and crew for an indefinite time as in the case of the British and Norwegian vessels taken under similar circumstances. However, the informal protest and request for release has been presented.

2. Nacho Enea does not know about present situation of crew but assumes they are held on the ship with insurgent guards on board. Am confident request for information will be complied with.

3. My request that Fisher’s report be forwarded here, based on Thurston’s telegram to me, No. 13, January 22, 11 a.m., saying “the Embassy at Paris informed me yesterday that it was expecting his report through our Consulate General at Marseille”. It seemed essential to me that I should have all possible information in approaching insurgent authorities.

Bowers

16. Not printed.
17. Luis M. de Yrujo, formerly Counselor of the Spanish Embassy at Washington, attached to the headquarters of the Nationalist Government at St. Jean de Luz.
18. Residence of Franco agents at St. Jean de Luz.