852.79662/9–2644: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 27—10 a.m.]
3248. It appears probable that the Department’s 2619, September 23, 8 p.m., crossed my 3219, September 22, 7 p.m., reporting my last conversation with Lequérica on the suppression of the German air service with Spain. I shall of course continue to press the matter as instructed.
I may point out however that neither at San Sebastián75 nor here has the British Embassy given earnest support to our formal and informal representations although it has been kept currently informed of the American position. Only last night Lord Temple-wood76 not only stated that he still had no instructions from his Government but he also voiced the opinion that since the service now affords the only means of erecting [effecting] the expulsion of German agents from Spain it is useful to our ends. That the traffic was pointed out to him to be two-directional seemed not to shake the British obsession that ridding Spain of Nazi agents is the utmost consideration.
It would be helpful to me if the British Foreign Office were to be brought to our viewpoint. Consideration also might be given to encouragement of a French diplomatic protest in the sense that by offering terminal landing facilities Spain is making itself a direct party to violations of French territorial air by aircraft of an enemy of France.