103.9166/6644e: Telegram

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

2274. OWI86 reports a Tokyo broadcast in English, October 22, stating that Laurel87 has received congratulations from Jordana88 on proclamation of Philippine independence. The message attributed to Jordana expresses sentiments not only of General Franco89 and Foreign Office but of Spanish people. The broadcast stated Laurel had also received congratulations from local Italian and German communities and from Bulgaria. Please comment by cable.

Stettinius
  1. Office of War Information.
  2. José P. Laurel, a former judge in the Philippines, who was placed at the head of the puppet government established there by the Japanese after their invasion of the Islands.
  3. Gen. Francisco Gómez Jordana, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs.
  4. Gen. Francisco Franco, Spanish Chief of State.