340.1115A/973: Telegram

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

231. My telegram No. 224, June 21, 7 p.m. Have finally been able to arrange with Spanish authorities that the Chief of the Spanish frontier at Irun will in cooperation with Morgan,3 permit any American citizen recommended by Morgan to enter Spain en route to the United States with or without a Spanish visa and without the necessity of a Portuguese visa.

It has been agreed that such Americans will be concentrated for the moment, probably at Bilbao, until such time as a vessel can either call at Bilbao to take them off or until the Portuguese authorities will permit their entry into Portugal to take ship from that port.

As soon as final arrangements as to place of concentration have been made, the Department will be promptly advised.

In the meantime, Morgan, Smythe,4 and Gilbert5 are endeavoring to make as complete as possible lists of all American citizens passing the frontier, their destination and their addresses in the United States. Lists will be telegraphed at intervals to the Department.

Weddell
  1. John H. Morgan, Consul at Madrid.
  2. David M. Smythe, Vice Consul at Bilbao.
  3. Charles Gilbert, clerk in Embassy at Madrid, Vice Consul at San Sebastian June 29, 1940.