Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, Europe, Volume II

811.20 Defense (M) Spain/853: Telegram

The Ambassador in Spain ( Hayes ) to the Secretary of State

Madrid , June 24, 1943—11 p.m.
[Received June 24—10:54 p.m.]

1666. COUSC⁵² 1641. German wolfram activities have recently taken the form of purchasing mines mainly in strategic areas near the Portuguese border. This manoeuvre indicates a major shift in policy. It either is designed to facilitate even larger scale smuggling from Portugal or it could be in anticipation of some regulatory action by the council on minerals of military interest such as now exists in Portugal. The British and ourselves will ask the Foreign Office for advance notification of and [any] change in regulation which might adversely affect our present position in the wolfram field. In either event, however, we feel that we may be obliged to take similar action and acquire mines through Safi: In view of this situation and of the contents of your 375, May 25, 10 p.m., last year,⁵³ can you now authorize us to buy properties upon approval in each instance by the Anglo-American Committee. Please reply promptly.

Repeated to Lisbon and to London.

Hayes

52. Designation used in telegrams sent through the Embassy by the representative of the U.S. Commercial Company; the Company was an emergency war agency, control of which was transferred to the Office of Economic Warfare, July 15, 1943.
53. Not printed.