852.2221/1755: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 1—5:17 a.m.]
242. My 220, November 4, noon. On November 27 I again took up the question of our remaining prisoners of war with Barcenas. He agreed entirely with my arguments as to the desirability of releasing the prisoners stating that both the Minister and himself had done everything possible to this end. He added however that “although I suppose the prisoners will sometime be released neither the Minister [Page 820] nor I have been able to achieve this even though we are 100 percent in accordance with your views”.
In view of the apparent inability of the Foreign Office to take effective action I requested the Military Attaché to take up the matter with the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army, which he did yesterday. The Military Attaché furnished the Chief of Staff with a complete list showing the places of confinement and the status of each prisoner as far as the Embassy records show. The Chief of Staff promised to investigate the matter and inform the Military Attaché as soon as possible.