852.6363/724: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain ( Hayes ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 16—10:47 a.m.]
621. The British Embassy has been informed by the Ministry of Economic Warfare that decision has been reached not to furnish aviation gasoline to Spain. British Embassy has reopened this matter and has requested that the amounts of aviation gasoline recommended by the American Embassy be furnished for reasons of high policy. These reasons were fully set forth in my 501, and 510 of March 4.
Iberia service to Lisbon is being suspended on March 18 and Iberia service will be suspended shortly thereafter in view of the Air Ministry insistence on conserving its small remaining stocks and its unwillingness to release any more of them to Iberia. Suspension of Iberia [Page 671] service in addition to having a bad propaganda effect from our point of view will cause considerable inconvenience to the Embassy in carrying out its manifold activities in Spain including movement of couriers, petroleum observers, United States Commercial Corporation officers, et cetera. It should be recalled in this connection that rail service is badly congested and delays of many days are entailed in obtaining reservations. On the other hand Iberia makes available to us in emergencies seats reserved for Spanish officials.
For these reasons and other reasons already presented to Department I request prompt and favorable action on our request for aviation gasoline.