811.2353/4a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Portugal (Fish)
81. With reference to 11 planes grounded Lisbon, press and radio here state as result of German pressure on Portuguese Government early in war when Nazi flyers came down in Portugal these were released on condition that the precedent should apply equally to airmen of all belligerent nations landed in Portugal. If this information is correct, and if the treatment applied to the planes as well, you should insist on like treatment for our planes. If not the Department suggests that you endeavor to obtain the same treatment for these planes as is customarily accorded to belligerent war vessels and obtain permission for them to depart within 48 hours.
War Department is cabling Military Attaché.22
- Col. William D. Hohenthal.↩