852.413/6–1051
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Griffis)1
Dear Stan: As you know, we expect shortly to follow up conversations which you and Admiral Sherman had with General Franco by the dispatch of a military mission to undertake appropriate surveys and technical discussions with the Spanish authorities. The results which we anticipate will flow from these discussions prompt me to write to you about the continuing concern here over the religious problem in Spain which was the subject of your letter of last April to the President.2
[Page 861]The question of religious liberty in Spain can be very important for us. You may recall, for example, that the restrictions recently placed on Protestant activity in Italy aroused serious protests in Congress and elsewhere, including demands by members of Congress to terminate aid to Italy.
The situation affecting religious minorities in Italy and Spain are analogous. As our Spanish policy develops, the question of religious liberty is bound to arise just as it did in Italy and may delay our plans.
I know how hard it is to make progress in this field in the face of the existing laws and the weight of Spanish tradition. On the other hand, progress must be made if we are not to run into serious difficulties. I believe that you scored an excellent point in telling Franco that if there were only five Protestants in Spain, they should have the same rights of religious freedom as any other Spanish citizen. Whether the Generalissimo agreed with you or not, he has provided the basis for action by assuring you that orders would be issued permitting non-Catholic services which do not disturb the peace. If we can demonstrate that progress has been made since your talk with Franco by actual changes in the orders to provincial officials and by evidence of more liberal treatment, it will be of the greatest value in heading off inevitable criticism.
As you know, the President is deeply interested in this question and I hope that you can find an early opportunity to follow up Franco’s assurances to you which enable you to report progress in this difficult field.
Sincerely yours,
- Drafted by Bonbright and cleared by Williamson.↩
- Acheson was referring here to despatch 1203 of April 6, in which Ambassador Griffis informed President Truman that during his interview with Franco on March 15 he had raised the issue of religious freedom for Protestants in Spain in strong terms and had received assurances from Franco “that interpretation Spanish law on non-Catholic religious services must be greatly broadened including full right of any non-Catholic services which did not disturb the peace.” Ambassador Griffis had assured the President “that I intend to follow the matter of religious toleration here with the closest attention.” (852.413/4–651) In reply to Acheson’s letter, Ambassador Griffis on August 25 informed the Secretary that he was continuing to investigate instances of religious intolerance in Spain, but that his work was hampered by the absence of key Protestant leaders and the multiplicity of Protestant sects. (852.413/8–2551)↩