740.00119 Control (Germany)/4–146: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Spain ( Bonsal )
560. Deptel 520 April 12.60 Now that date for repatriation is fixed repatriation program should be pressed to maximum extent possible. Incidentally this enables us to exploit achievements in various countries in negotiations with others. (Your 629 April 1 and Desp 1788 March 14).61
From urtel it appears that Span Govt regards cooperation this repatriation as favor to us. You should disabuse them this attitude. In effect we are giving them opportunity to contradict by their deeds widespread impression their complacency in giving refuge to Germans whom we consider obnoxious and whose continued presence in Spain we believe to be against true interests all peace loving peoples. Their failure to produce specified Germans on schedule merely serves confirm in world public opinion adverse impression. If they wish to improve their international position this seems to us to be one easy way for them to start. If Span Govt fails avail itself of opportunity offered to cooperate in removing these obnoxious Germans, international criticism will inevitably become more severe. Taking advantage of facilities offered does not, however, eliminate other grounds public criticism.
Dept does not plan to call in Cárdenas on this question pending further developments. Repeated to London 3399, Berlin 928.