123 C 436/408: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 14—11:40 a.m.]
545. The British Ambassador told me today that his Consul General at Tangier had just informed him that in a conversation held by the Consul General with Orgaz, Spanish High Commissioner, the latter had expressed irritation at the failure of Childs to call on him and also remarked that with regard to the visit desired to be paid by Bentley, “Military Attaché at Tangier”, he could not receive him in this capacity but only as an officer of the American Army.
The Ambassador added that he apologized for mentioning the matter since he did not consider it his affair but that inasmuch as Orgaz was favorably disposed [to] assist him it was their policy to placate him especially having in mind the provisional situation existing which subsequent events might be expected to alter.
I told the Ambassador that I was not sufficiently posted to have an opinion on the matter but that I felt that an officer of Childs’ experience was without doubt acting in accordance with our policy and being careful to do nothing which could compromise our rights.11
Repeated to Tangier.
- In despatch No. 221, June 19, Mr. Childs explained at length his relations with Spanish officials at Tangier. He reported that informal relations had been satisfactorily developed. The principal difficulties had arisen with respect to absence of the American officials from ceremonial functions of the Spanish authorities. He stated that “these officials are now reasonably familiar with our position and it is believed that the hope may be reasonably entertained that they are not likely to misinterpret it in the future.” (881.00/2023)↩