752.00114/14: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France
B–433. Your 487, May 19, 7 p.m. I can see nothing inconsistent with our neutrality in permitting you to act as intermediary between the Government and the Franco authorities on an exchange of prisoners, conditioned on their non-participation in the war hereafter. If there is any information in your despatch which would have a bearing on our decision please telegraph a summary thereof. You should, of course, make it clear that you would act as intermediary only and not assume any responsibility for (a) the selection of prisoners to be exchanged (b) for the technical process of effecting the exchange, or (c) for the fulfillment of any commitments made in connection therewith.
[Page 286]As to the question of working out an exchange of children away from parents it is difficult to see how this could be carried out except through the intermediary of some established agency such as the International Red Cross or other relief body enjoying the confidence of both sides. If this point is raised again you should take that position.