740.0011 European War 1939/8003: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 30—6:40 a.m.]
78. Department’s No. 38, January 25, 5 p.m. The British Ambassador today informed me that he had had a long but unsatisfactory conversation with the Foreign Minister yesterday in the course of which he endeavored to obtain from him in writing “the verbal assurances already given concerning the capitulations at Tangier.” He said that this request was resisted by the Foreign Minister who declared that Britain’s attitude affected “the independence” of Spain and that he should be satisfied with what he had already obtained.
The Ambassador feels that this intransigent attitude of the Foreign Minister is due to pressure from Germany whose representative he believes has been informed of commitments already made. The Ambassador reiterated to me that he had obtained formal written assurances concerning the non-fortification of the area. He also said that he did not regard the situation “as by any means hopeless”, that the whole matter was now before London for its action and earnestly implored me to delay presenting my note concerning Tangier or discussing the subject for a few days longer when he would have London’s reaction to the matter.
In the circumstances I think that no harm would be done in deferring approaching the Foreign Office for a copy of written guarantees which have been furnished the British Ambassador.