852.00/8421: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 2—9:25 a.m.]
1036. The Spanish Government has notified Exchange Commission now at Toulouse that it proposes, on the basis of reciprocity by the rebels, the suspension of all death sentences already pronounced or to be pronounced for offenses committed prior to September 1, 1938. This suspension, to be effective throughout September, is designed to facilitate negotiations by the Commission for a general pardon or exchange of condemned persons.
This development is regarded as a result of the reaction to wholesale executions reported in telegram 1024, August 16, 11 a.m.94 and is believed to have been brought about by the British Minister, who is now at Toulouse. I am informed that Azana hopes that the arrangement can be made permanent. It is possible that this may be a tentative approach toward the program mentioned in the last paragraph of telegram 963, May 26, 3 p.m.95