852.2221/1250a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France
B–465. We appreciate your efforts and it may be that some further opportunity will present itself through the initiation of one side or the other of a plan of exchange for you to lend your good offices to the accomplishment of such an arrangement. I feel that as far as you taking any initiative yourself in that direction is concerned, it would be highly undesirable, as this Government cannot be put in a position of proposing the exchange of Italian prisoners for Americans, particularly in the face of the possibility of any such exchanged Italians reentering the conflict on the Franco side. I feel sure you will agree with me that the only approach this Government can make to the Franco authorities in the present circumstances is on the basis of a release of the American prisoners based on the fact that because of the withdrawal of foreigners from the Spanish Government Forces, these Americans will not re-engage in the conflict, but will be returned to this country by the group here interested in their organization.
The Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade have been told that we would again propose to the Franco authorities the release of these prisoners but that any proposal for their exchange would have to come from the Spanish Government or from the Burgos authorities.