811B.01/496: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 2—12:50 p.m.]
3207. Your 2298, October 28, 3 p.m. I am concerned over continued delay in receiving instructions concerning Jordana’s message to Laurel. It is my hope and I am sure it is the Department’s hope to utilize this incident to improve further our position in Spain and to bring a further deterioration in the Axis position here and elsewhere. We have a number of very important matters pending with the Spanish Government concerning which I am anxious to talk to Jordana at the earliest possible moment, and I suggest that my relations with Jordana be not interrupted any longer. On the contrary when the Spanish Government has been made aware of the seriousness with which we regard the Philippine incident I am hopeful that I can obtain valuable concessions from the Spanish Government along unrelated but very important lines.
Our objective in this whole matter should not be to punish Jordana but to utilize the incident in order to further the interests of the United States.
I believe the note transmitted in my 3151, October 28,94 adequately meets the situation and I request prompt instructions concerning its delivery.
- Not printed.↩