852.01/474
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom are considering the question of granting full recognition to General Franco and are in close consultation with the French Government on the subject. The French Government favour this step in principle but wish first to obtain certain assurances from General Franco. They have sent Monsieur Bérard back to Burgos for further discussions in this respect.
- 2.
- Meanwhile His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom have received from the Spanish Government a communication declaring their willingness to cease hostilities on certain conditions. The British Agent at Burgos has been instructed to communicate this information to General Franco and to make it clear that whilst His Majesty’s Government recognize his right to decide what, if any, response to make to this communication they feel its consideration might afford an opening for bringing about a pacific solution.
- 3.
- In these circumstances His Majesty’s Government in the
United Kingdom have decided
- (a)
- that it is desirable for them to recognize General Franco’s Government in the near future,
- (b)
- that if possible such recognition should follow a surrender by the Spanish Government but that if the latter maintain resistance, and negotiations are prolonged, it may be necessary that recognition should precede the cessation of hostilities,
- (c)
- that as regards belligerent rights His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will adhere to the present position that neither side is entitled to exercise these against third parties.
- 4.
- The British Agent at Burgos therefore has been instructed to inform the Nationalist authorities of the earnest consideration now being given by His Majesty’s Government to the grant of full recognition to General Franco. Such recognition, he will explain, would be facilitated if General Franco were able to accept the terms contained in the Spanish Government’s communication regarding the cessation of hostilities and if he would be willing to state publicly that when the fighting is finished he would not permit anything in the way of unauthorized or general political reprisals.
- 5.
- The French Government have been informed that whilst His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom are in general agreement with their views as regards recognition, His Majesty’s Government would prefer full recognition without conditions even if this entailed a short delay in the event of the Spanish Government showing signs of surrendering. If there seemed, however, a prospect of long delay, His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom would probably decide to proceed with recognition, keeping in the closest touch with the French Government with a view to parallel action.
Washington
, February 18, 1939.