852.00/8923: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain ( Thurston ), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received February 6—11:25 a.m.]
1208. The British Minister has just informed me that (as a development from the approach by Negrin mentioned in my 1205, February 4, noon, and later supplemented by Azana who stated to Stevenson that he would resign if terms were not sought) he and the French Ambassador have been instructed to advise Del Vayo this afternoon that the British and French Governments are inquiring of the Franco regime whether in the event the Spanish Government lays down its arms it would be prepared to give the three guarantees roughly outlined in the telegram cited.
I remarked that Franco probably would reject clause (b) if not all, to which he replied that the fundamental point of the proffer of capitulation is all that matters and since it has been made, the working out of terms will be a mere formality.