Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

711.52/449: Telegram

The Ambassador in Spain ( Hayes ) to the Secretary of State

Madrid , May 4, 1944—11 p.m.
[Received May 5—7:33 a.m.]

1549. High Foreign Office official stated this morning that Foreign Office had just received a telegram from the Spanish Ambassador in Berlin,⁶⁰ who reported that he had been called to the German Foreign Office by the Sub-Secretary⁶¹ (von Ribbentrop⁶² is not in Berlin). Sub-Secretary had been pale with rage and had protested in the most violent terms against Spain’s agreement with Britain and United States. He seemed to take greatest offense at suppression of German Consulate General in Tangier. Sub-Secretary said that this was especially offensive to Germany inasmuch as British and American diplomatic and consular offices were being allowed to remain.

The Ambassador explained patiently to the Sub-Secretary that Allied offices had a right to remain there while the Germans had been prohibited by international treaty⁶³ from establishing a Consulate General in Tangier in the first place, and that Spain was merely carrying out an obligation which was especially pressing inasmuch as Spain had occupied Tangier in order to guarantee its neutrality.

The Ambassador reported that when the conversation ended the Sub-Secretary had calmed down considerably.

German Ambassador in Madrid⁶⁴ likewise has protested against agreement.

Hayes

60. Gen. Ginés Vidal.
61. Andor Hencke.
62. Joachim von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister.
63. The Treaty of Versailles, part IV, section V, articles 141–146; Foreign Relations, The Paris Peace Conference, vol. xiii, pp. 292–295.
64. Hans Dieckhoff.