852.2221/1725: Telegram

The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State

177. Refering to my 159, August 24, 11 a.m., I inquired of the Minister for Foreign Affairs at Burgos today what decision had been [Page 816] reached regarding our remaining prisoners of war. I recalled that General Franco had assured me that all our prisoners would be liberated and I urged that those still in custody be released without further delay. The Minister replied that he was having the dossiers of the prisoners examined and that he would let me have a reply to my démarche within a few days.95 He stated that it was possible that some of these men were under sentence to which I again stated it was my understanding that even if this were true it was the intention of the Generalissimo to exercise executive clemency and release them all. The Minister, however, while not committing himself definitely clearly gave me the impression that there is little hope for the time being of securing the release of those under sentence.

Weddell
  1. However, on September 12 the Ambassador was informed that the Minister for Foreign Affairs was unable to give him a reply on account of General Franco’s absence in Galicia.