852.00/9066: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 25—1:22 p.m.]
567. For the Under Secretary. Your 196, March 24, noon. Charveriat, Director of Political Affairs at the Foreign Office, told Wilson this morning that their information indicates that the negotiations now in progress between the Madrid regime and Franco are progressing satisfactorily and that the surrender of Madrid may be expected within 2 or 3 days. Airplanes from Madrid bearing political leaders of the Madrid regime have already arrived in Algeria. It is not clear whether the surrender of Madrid will necessarily carry with it the surrender of other areas in Spain which have opposed Franco. Charveriat believes it possible that Valencia may surrender with Madrid [Page 767] but it is doubtful regarding Cartagena and considers it possible that there may be some resistance to surrender in certain Other areas.
Charveriat expressed the opinion that one of the principal reasons which has led Franco to refrain from attacking Madrid in the hope of negotiating a peaceful surrender, was his determination that there must be no triumphal parade of Italians and Germans through Madrid.
I am seeing Bonnet this afternoon and will report any further information available regarding this matter.