Office of the Historian

865.30/37: Telegram

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

Madrid, September 12, 1943—2 p.m.
[Received September 13—9:23 a.m.]

2555. My 2525, September 10, 3 p.m., Murphy’s September 11, 2 p.m. According to the Ministry Marine two of the three Italian destroyers at Pollensa Bay scuttled themselves outside bay yesterday morning. Third unable to leave due engine trouble and interned.

Cruiser and three destroyers at Port Mahon claimed belligerent status and asked for fuel. None available and vessels interned.

British Naval Attaché71 requested vessels be considered nonbelligerent and allowed to leave. Minister declined to agree. We are making informal representations.

Request instructions as to technical arguments we can advance.

Repeated to Murphy.

Hayes
  1. Cmdr. G. M. Bradley.↩