760C.62/1055: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:35 p.m.]
166. Referring to my telegram number 164, August 25, 9 p.m.,71 the Belgian Ambassador told me this morning he had seen the Minister for Foreign Affairs at Burgos on August 23 under instructions from his Government to request a public adhesion of the Spanish Government to the recent declaration of the King of Belgium. The Minister for Foreign Affairs after consultation with Franco replied that the Spanish Government is in entire sympathy with the declaration and the press will be instructed to treat it sympathetically, however, that events are moving so swiftly no public declaration will be made. The Ambassador inquired of the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether in the case of hostilities Spain would march with the Axis powers and received an emphatic negative response. He inquired regarding the reaction of the Spanish Government to the German-Soviet pact and while the Minister for Foreign Affairs did not commit himself directly he gave every indication of intense disgust. The Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed equal satisfaction and sympathy with the message of President Roosevelt.
- Not printed.↩