811.20 Defense (M) Spain/1180a: Telegram

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

2384. The Department wishes you to seek following concessions from the Spanish Government:

(1)
A complete and immediate embargo on exports of wolfram to all destinations. The request for this concession may be made upon [Page 649] any grounds you may wish to put forward, without furnishing any indication that this Government contemplates any material quid pro quo. If Count Jordana should suggest, in response to your approach, any quid pro quo which he considers Spain may seek in return, you should inform him that your instructions do not cover discussion of the matter but that you will be glad to communicate to your Government any suggestions he may care to make. For your own confidential information, and with specific reference to your 3153 of October 28,74 the wheat position in this country has become very tight. The situation has changed radically from that reported in the Department’s 2148 of October 9.74 Without some sensational action on the part of Spain, such as a complete embargo on wolfram exports, it is highly unlikely that our supply authorities could be persuaded to make available an allocation to Spain, and lacking such a development the Department questions whether it would be justified in seriously supporting a request for such an allocation. In any event, it is not desired that in your discussions with the Spanish Government wolfram should be linked in any way with wheat supplies from this country. Pending report of your talk with Jordana the Department is unable to give a final answer to your 3153.
(2)
The removal of German agents from Tangier.

Before making your approach on these two matters to the Spanish Government it will be necessary for you to confer with your British colleague, but the Department is anxious to avoid any unnecessary delay on this account. As regards the removal of German agents from Tangier, you will recall from the Department’s telegram 2309 of October 29, 8 p.m.74 that the British contemplate similar action. While the British position in this regard is on a different basis from our own, you will be able to find suitable grounds for supporting the British action or for making your representations separately if that seems the most desirable course.

Stettinius
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