Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The British Commonwealth; The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/7731: Telegram

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

Washington, January 25, 1941—5 p.m.

38. Your 50, January 19, 2 p.m. In view of the changed situation which you report, and particularly since the Foreign Minister has now given apparently satisfactory guarantees regarding the non-fortification of Tangier, the Department considers that it might be preferable to present to the Spanish Government in another form the considerations outlined in its 16, January 8, 6 p.m.

In order to afford an opportunity for the presentation of our views it would appear desirable for you to endeavor to have the Spanish Government communicate to you a copy of the written guarantees which have been furnished to the British Ambassador. Such an arrangement would be similar to that followed in June 1940 when Beigbeder⁵ transmitted to you a copy of the note which had been sent to the British Ambassador concerning the occupation of Tangier (your 192, June 14, 1 p.m.⁶). The receipt of a copy of the guarantees regarding the non-fortification of Tangier would afford this Government an opportunity in reply to draw attention for the record to certain of the points outlined in its 16, January 8, 6 p.m. Please comment on this method of procedure.

Hull

5. Juan Beigbeder, then Spanish Foreign Minister.
6. Foreign Relations, 1940, vol. iii, p. 783.