125.961/32
The Vice Consul at Valencia (Wallner) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 26.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s telegram of June 18, 11 A.M. 1938 (copy attached79) concerning the possible evacuation from Valencia by naval vessel of the Consular Officer and American nationals who desire and are able to leave.
While the port of Gandia is, next to Valencia, the most desirable embarkation point, disorderly local conditions attendant upon a situation calling for evacuation might render Gandia dangerous or impossible for the evacuation party to reach. The road from Perelló to [Page 309] Gandia passes through the villages of Sueea, Cullera and Tabernes, all of which, like Gandia itself, earned a sanguinary reputation in the early days of the Civil War.
In that event the indicated embarkation point might well be the beach at the village of Perelló. A small stream enters the sea at that point, and although the water is not more than three feet deep, I have witnessed successful landings by both the French and British navies, who consider the place entirely satisfactory in calm (normal summer) weather, and possible, except in a storm. Indeed it figures as an alternate concentration point in the evacuation scheme of the Consulates of both these nations. If it will be possible to leave Valencia at all, Perelló may be reached with a minimum of danger since the road from Valencia is not the main highway to the South and passes through no towns of consequence.
In the event that Vice Consul Worley is to be returned here by destroyer the Department may wish to suggest to the Navy Department that a trial landing be made at Perelló.
I have been approached by citizens of Panama for information as to whether I was authorised to embark them in case of evacuation by naval vessel, and since this office is now looking after the interests of the Brazilian Consulate, there is a possibility that citizens of that nation may likewise wish to be evacuated. Although the telegram under reference mentions only American citizens, I should appreciate specific instructions from the Department as to whether I should permit the embarkation of foreigners, and if so, of what nations.
Respectfully yours,