852.48/1491: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:27 p.m.]
849. Department’s 775, April 5, midnight. British Embassy Lisbon has telegraphed London and Madrid that Chargé called yesterday on Secretary General who informed him that Salazar agreed on April 17 as evacuation date but insisted Setubal be used. It is understanding of British Embassy Madrid that although British would greatly prefer evacuation thru Lisbon (they now allege rail connection with Setubal unsatisfactory although as a matter of fact they have nothing to do with rail transportation of these refugees) they are prepared to accept Setubal which they suggested originally as compromise proposal. We are still basing our arrangements on arrival evacuation ships at Setubal 17th and hope for prompt confirmation that Portuguese and British are in agreement not only on date but on port.
Repeated to London, Lisbon and Algiers for Murphy.