Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1940, General and Europe, Volume II

711.52/152a: Telegram

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

Washington, December 10, 1940—7 p.m.

339. The Department has observed in recent weeks increasing manifestations of hostility on the part of Spain toward the United States, which have been coupled with the apparent development of a propaganda campaign against this country operating principally through the Spanish Falange organizations in Spanish-speaking countries of America.⁴⁸

Among the indications of such a development there may be cited:

1. The increasingly hostile attitude of the Spanish press toward the United States in recent months, manifested notably on the occasion of the Pan American conference at Habana last July, in connection with the observance of the “Día de la Raza” last October, and within the past few weeks in connection with the alleged cession of land for a naval base by Uruguay to the United States. This attitude is indicated by such statements as that appearing in the Madrid newspaper El Alcazar of November 19 that “the problems and interests of South America can in no sense be foreign to us …⁴⁹ we must place opposite the Monroe Doctrine, which was proclaimed in a moral climate far removed from the present, the doctrine of the unity of that Hispanic world.” Since the Spanish press is completely controlled by the Government this attitude suggests official approval if not actual inspiration.

2. The statement of Serrano Suñer in a press interview given before his departure for Berlin in September, in which he is quoted by the German and Spanish press as asserting that “there must not be ignored our will to project into Spanish-America a moral influence and to restore the prestige of Spanish culture in the face of the usurpation which another culture has perpetrated …⁴⁹ In this sense our claims are also for America, to defend the rights of those sister nations.”

3. The message broadcast on November 20 by Eugenio Montes, National Councilor of the Falange, addressed to the intellectuals of Spanish-America, sharply attacking the alleged imperialist designs of the United States in South America and referring to the certain danger to Spanish America from the “Monroeist continent.”

4. The creation on November 7 of the “Consejo de Hispanicismo” in Madrid, under the exclusive control of Serrano Suñer, which is apparently intended to centralize direction of Spanish propaganda activities in Spanish-speaking nations of this hemisphere. It is noted that the introduction to the Decree published in the Boletín Oficial states that the purpose of this Council is to carry on “the glorious work of the Council of the Indies.”

5. The recent action of the Spanish Government, through certain of its diplomatic representatives in the other American Republics, of congratulating other American Governments on their refusal to acquiesce in the imperialist designs of the United States.

Aside from the foregoing indications of an attitude of official hostility toward the United States oil the part of the Spanish Government, we have recently noted a number of instances in which Falangist agents have been appointed to important posts in the other American Republics and the Philippines in diplomatic and consular capacities. It is recalled in this connection that upon taking office as Minister of Foreign Affairs on October 17 Serrano Suñer stated, according to the Spanish press, that “the Falange abroad, whose defects I know and undertake to correct, from now on will be an element to consider in the diplomatic life of Spain.” The subsequent appointment of José del Castaño to be Consul General of Spain at Manila and other similar appointments elsewhere seems to indicate the initiation of a definite policy in this respect. A recent press despatch from Madrid reported that the Spanish Government was preparing to require all diplomatic and consular representatives abroad to submit detailed personal biographical reports, with a view to the assignment of new representatives who are active members of the Falange.

You are directed to bring to the attention of the Foreign Office the fact that this Government is deeply concerned over the foregoing developments which appear to indicate an increasing attitude of hostility toward the United States on the part of the Government of Spain. At the same time you may point out that our own attitude has always been one of understanding and approval of the efforts of other nations to promote closer ties of friendship and peaceful relations with all countries. It may be observed, for example, that in its relations with the other nations of this hemisphere, this Government has acted upon the policy that friendly cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest between nations in all parts of the world redounds to the benefit of all. The same attitude has been clearly manifested by all the American Republics, as shown in the acts and resolutions adopted by all of the recent Pan American Conferences.

For your confidential information, we are particularly concerned by the indications we have received of German interest and collaboration in a campaign of propaganda directed against the United States in Spanish-speaking countries of America operating through the Spanish Falange and its organizations in those countries. One indication of such a development has been received recently from an authoritative and reliable source in Berlin to the effect that a definite agreement was reached during German-Spanish negotiations in November that Spain will conduct an intensive propaganda campaign against the influence of the United States in Spanish-speaking America and will endeavor to promote Spanish influence and sympathy for the Axis. Recent comments in the German press have tended to support the foregoing information. At the same time, our Embassy at Rome reports that the Italian press is giving increased space to alleged anti-American developments in Spanish America, that American correspondents are not permitted to cable comments on the Italian attitude toward Spanish America, and that at a recent press conference an official statement was made to correspondents that “Fascism is now an article for export.”

Hull

48. On December 2, Under Secretary of State Welles in a conversation with the Spanish Ambassador had called his attention to these activities which made it difficult for the United States to extend aid to Spain (852.48/798½).
49. Omission indicated in the original telegram.
49. Omission indicated in the original telegram.