740.00112 European War 1939/6271: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 6—11:14 a.m.]
1029. I do not anticipate that the program as outlined in your 636, July 27, noon,48 will interfere in any way with Spanish program [Page 476] as it is now operating or is expected to operate during remainder this year if Spanish Government through its Embassy in Washington has indicated that it has no objection to a separate supply purchase program for Spanish North Africa and Tangier. Smith has just returned from Tangier and advises that he has made suggestions to Childs regarding petroleum supplies.
The Embassy is sending following comment to Tangier as its August 5, 4 p.m.:
“The program contained in Department’s 132, July 27, noon, is not expected to conflict with program in Peninsular Spain if Spanish Government through its Embassy in Washington has indicated that it has no objection to a separate supply purchase program for Spanish North Africa and Tangier and Department has been so informed. With respect to paragraph d the following comment from here may be helpful.
- 1.
- The Spanish program involves purchase of sheep and lambskins as a preclusive item. Only those skins weighing less than 14 kilos per dozen may be exported from here. At the moment there is no evidence that the skins we are buying originate in Spanish North Africa but if skins from that area should find their way to Peninsular Spain or vice versa our two buying organizations would be bidding against each other and this situation should be watched closely.
- 2.
- With existing shortage of copper in Spain it is surprising that we hope to purchase 1,000 tons of ore in Spanish North Africa. If any such quantity is available Embassy would appreciate being informed.
- 3.
- The intention of purchasing 1,000 tons manganese is also surprising. Spanish authorities are negotiating for from 3 to 4 thousand tons from French North Africa and the French through Spanish authorities in Madrid are endeavoring to obtain 90 tons gasoline, 6 tons lubricants and 60 tires in order to move the ore from the Atlas Mountains to a seaport.”