852.00/8119: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 20—9:10 a.m.]
982. The rebel advance south of Castellan has now reached a point approximately 35 miles to Valencia and it is probable that while it may be delayed and occasionally checked it will eventually threaten Valencia. When such a threat may develop cannot of course be foreseen, although the defensive possibilities of Sagunto might make it a question of several weeks.
The British Embassy informs me that it has not as yet given serious consideration to the removal of the British Consul at Valencia—who may in his discretion call for a naval vessel and leave. It is at present contemplated that he would embark at Gandia.
In view of the possibility of sudden developments of a political or military nature, I believe it is not premature to suggest that the Department may wish to instruct Mr. Wallner72 as to the course he [Page 299] should take under foreseeable circumstances and to arrange with the Navy Department for its cooperation.
Mr. Wallner has informed me that he has learned that there are more than 150 American members of the International Brigades in his district and it has previously been reported that there are also several American relief workers there. The Department may wish to instruct him with respect to the latter in the event of his departure—although if such a course is feasible I would suggest that he should not definitely leave but merely go aboard a naval vessel for the period of the transfer of control in order that our [omission] at Valencia may if possible be retained.
- Woodruff Wallner, Vice Consul at Valencia.↩