852.2221/1290: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France
B–471. Your 557, November 18, 1 p.m. The only direct proposal that we are now prepared to make, as stated in my B–465 of November 4, 7 p.m., is that American prisoners be released for return to the United States in view of withdrawal of all foreign volunteers from military forces of Spanish Government. It is not clear from your telegram that this proposal has definitely been rejected by Franco authorities.
We would have no objection, however, to any proposal which would result in release and repatriation of these Americans through exchange of prisoners. If such proposal is actually made you are authorized to use your good offices in same manner as in the case of the 14 Americans.