811.20 Defense (M) Spain/1305: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Hayes)
1182. I refer to Dunn’s conversation with Beaulac and to your 1432, April 25, 7 p.m. I endorse your suggestion that you carry this matter to Franco in a final effort to obtain Spanish approval of the proposal contained in our 936, April 4. I feel that you should do this at the earliest possible moment. In the event that Franco still maintains in spite of your direct approach to him that Spain will not accept the proposal outlined in our 936 you are authorized to reach an immediate settlement on the basis of our 1153, April 25, 11 p.m. Your assumptions as to oil provision in your 1450 April 27, are correct. I should not wish any publicity or public announcements regarding a settlement to be made before Wednesday20 or Thursday of next week.
I wish to inform you in connection with the press release referred to in my 1154, April 25, midnight,21 that because of our situation here I must include in any press release a statement to the effect that we have arrived at this settlement at the request of the British Government whose supply situation in Spain differs from ours. Exact text will be cabled later.