711.52/430: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 20—6:14 a.m.]
1471. I saw Jordana last night and requested an interview with Franco. Jordana expressed the hope I would not insist. He appealed to me to reach an immediate agreement. It became evident to me that Jordana’s position in the Government would be irreparably weakened if I went over his head and made an agreement directly with Franco. Furthermore as the Department will not have failed to note from my 1451, April 27, 3 p.m., Hoare’s last conversation with Jordana had greatly reduced if not eliminated the possibility that Franco would agree to anything less than the export of 40 tons between now and June 30 and of 40 tons monthly thereafter during the present year.
Under the circumstances I told Jordana that we would agree to this. He said that inasmuch as his present authority did not exceed his previous proposal he would have to seek authority to [Page 408] agree on behalf of Spain. He informed me this morning that he had obtained such authority and agreement was finally reached. Jordana assures me he has already ordered Japanese Legation to withdraw its Assistant Military Attaché from Tangier.
I am proceeding to exchange [apparent ommission] these and other arrangements and undertakings. Jordana expressed his great interest in implementing agreements and to this end he has called a meeting of the committee of experts this afternoon to concert measures to prevent smuggling of wolfram.
Smith is now checking petroleum stocks preparatory to authorizing sailings of Spanish tankers for May 20 loadings.
I am informing Hoare in foregoing sense this morning. As soon as Spanish tankers have sailed I shall proceed to take up with the Spanish Government other important pending matters which have been held in abeyance during the period of suspension of petroleum shipments.
Repeated to Lisbon and London.