811B.01/502: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Hayes)
2344. Your 3207, November 2, 2 p.m. As indicated in the Department’s 2298 October 28, 3 p.m., it has been necessary to consult other agencies of the Government, in particular the Chiefs of Staff, in connection with this incident. While the Department regrets the delay, the consultations have been carried on as speedily as possible.
This most ill-advised and unexpected action of the Spanish Government has been viewed seriously here, as constituting a direct affront [Page 725] to the United States and questioning the sovereignty of this country. We have reason to believe that the Spanish Government has been occasioned considerable anxiety by our refraining from any discussion leading to a liquidation of the incident and it would appear to be useful to maintain for the present some doubt in the Spanish mind as to just what our intentions may be. Ambassador Cárdenas,95 acting under instructions from his Government, sought to discuss the matter with Mr. Atherton96 on October 29 and 30, but was told that Mr. Atherton was not authorized to discuss the subject. On the afternoon of October 30 Ambassador Cárdenas was received by Assistant Secretary Long. The Ambassador said he wished to discuss the message sent by Jordana to Laurel. He said his Government had received a telegram devoted to two subjects: first, the so-called “independence” claimed in the Philippines, and second, the warmth and cordiality of sentiment between the Philippines and Spain. Jordana had answered the telegram, omitting any reference to the “independence” but responding to the sentiment expressed concerning cordiality of relations between Spain and the Philippine people over a long period of time and manifesting the wish of Jordana and the Spanish Government to continue these cordial relations. The Ambassador said there was no mention of “recognition,” and no reference to “independence” or “liberty,” and that no phraseology was employed that might be so construed. He read from what seemed to be a copy of a cable in Spanish received from his Government which required him to bring the facts concerning the message to Laurel to the attention of the Department, and to request the Department to note that there was no desire or intention on the part of Jordana or the Spanish Government to recognize the “independence” of the Philippines under existing circumstances.
Cárdenas then read from another document, apparently a copy of another cable from his Government, which was in answer to a cable sent on October 29 by Ambassador Cárdenas referring to a story which appeared in the New York Times on the subject.97 With regard to this second cable, the Ambassador said his Foreign Office hoped the American Government would understand that the message of Jordana was intended merely to express a friendly emotion for the Philippine people and that the essential fact be not lost sight of that Jordana had not mentioned and had no intention of mentioning recognition of the puppet government established by Japan. The second cable reiterated the wish that this fact be noted by the American Government, and instructed Ambassador Cárdenas to make for himself and for the Spanish Government a firm denial of any intention [Page 726] to act in a manner contrary to the good relations between Spain and the United States.
The Ambassador inquired whether Mr. Long would wish to have from him a memorandum to the above effect. Mr. Long replied that he would prepare a memorandum of the conversation98 for the appropriate officials of this Government. The Ambassador rose to depart and said he very much hoped this occurrence would not interfere with the progress of relations between Spain and the United States which had been progressing toward a better understanding. Mr. Long made no reply.
The Department now proposes to ask Ambassador Cárdenas to submit a statement in draft form for discussion. The Department intends to go over such a statement with the Ambassador with a view to releasing some final document for publicity. The Department intends further to remark that the Spanish Government will no doubt wish to take measures to correct any misapprehension on the part of the Japanese Government and of the German Government, whose broadcasts have been exploiting Jordana’s message as a recognition of the Laurel regime.
The Department feels that the interruption in your relations with Jordana may now be brought to an end. It feels, however, that you should not take any initiative in connection with the Laurel telegram and that if Jordana broaches the subject to you you should reply that you are not in a position to discuss this matter other than to say that your government is seriously disturbed at this unexpected and, in our opinion, most ill-advised action on the part of the Spanish Government; you may add that you are being kept informed of the conversations on the subject between the Spanish Ambassador and officials of the Department of State in Washington.
The Department will keep you fully and currently informed.