852.48/820: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 19—2:05 a.m.]
733. My 727, December 16, 7 p.m.34 The British Ambassador told me tonight that he had not yet seen the Foreign Minister but expected [Page 803] to call on him Friday morning and to then endeavor to secure from him formal promises to respect British rights in Tangier. The Ambassador has called his Consul General from the city named to post him fully in the matter.
The Ambassador said further that London continues to take a serious view of the whole subject because it seems tied in with the many cases of harsh treatment of British subjects and disregard of British interests in Spain. The Ambassador even feels the matter may grow into a white paper but in response to my question said he did not feel that this would necessarily further delay matters relating to relief to Spain.
The Ambassador admitted with some chagrin in reply to my further query that the morning following his conversation with the Foreign Minister reported in my telegram under reference the two Italian submarines in Tangier harbor had fled.
- Not printed.↩