852.48/822: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—10:10 p.m.]
737. Department’s No. 350, December 19, 7 p.m. The present delay in the announcement by the British Government of its arrangements [Page 851] for shipment of wheat to Spain is believed to arise from the fact that London is now apparently making an issue of the Spanish action in Tangier52 as set forth in my 727, December 16, 7 p.m. and 733, December 18, 10 p.m.53 If I inform the Spanish Government that we are deferring action on our own arrangements pending action by the British, we not only inject a new condition as pointed out in my 734, December 19, noon, but in these circumstances also place ourselves in the position of bringing pressure merely in support of British interests in Tangier which are unrelated to our fundamental aim of keeping Spain out of the war. Moreover, too close linking of our relief efforts with those of the British may also have the effect of lessening emphasis on our independent contribution to the economic rehabilitation of Spain and this may be important from the point of view of subsequent credit negotiations.
I again urge therefore that our own announcement should not be contingent upon the announcement of the British Government.
With regard to the proposed press statement, Department’s numbered paragraph 3, I feel strongly that the text set forth in the Department’s No. 257, October 18, 3 p.m., should be adhered to inasmuch as the inclusion of the name of the Chief of Staff [State?] was especially urged upon me by the former Minister for Foreign Affairs and subsequently agreed to by the Department. Its suppression now would be unfortunate. If this suggestion cannot be accepted might not the Department authorize the publication in Spain of the text already agreed to and the simultaneous release to the American press, if this is agreeable to the Spanish Government, of the text given in telegram No. 350, December 19, 7 p.m.?
I should appreciate a reply to the foregoing at the Department’s earliest convenience in order that I may present the whole matter to the Foreign Minister whom I hope to see on Monday.