852.48/783: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Weddell)
313. Your 661, November 19, 8 p.m. By the personal direction of the President you are authorized in your conference with General Franco to modify the position previously taken by this Government to the extent indicated in your recommendation number 3. In view of existing conditions the President believes that specific and formal assurances to you must be obtained from General Franco but that because of the position in Spain, a public statement need not be insisted upon. You may, however, make it clear that any public indication by the Spanish Government of a continuation of its present policy of neutrality would have the most beneficial effect upon public opinion in the United States and would make it much easier for this Government to undertake the relief measures which have been under consideration.