852.062/11–2051
The Counselor of Embassy in France ( MacArthur ) to the Ambassador in Spain ( Griffis )
Dear Mr. Ambassador : I enjoyed very much our conversation last Saturday morning. I agree most whole-heartedly with you that [Page 870] the policy of all the Western democratic powers should be aimed at integrating Spain firmly into the family of Western democratic powers. This, as we all know, is made extremely difficult primarily because of the opposition of the Socialist Parties in the other European countries. I am convinced in my own mind that this opposition stems less from Socialist ideology than from the bitter hostilities of the European trade unions to the Franco regime—an opposition which is shared by organized American labor. In other words, organized labor is opposed to any evolutionary policy vis-à-vis Spain unless and until the Spanish Government undertakes reforms and particularly reforms in the labor field.
As you know, the old Spanish trade union leaders have been living in exile since the Spanish Civil War. They have been financially supported to a very considerable extent by their European and American trade union colleagues. I am convinced from conversations which I have had with American and European labor leaders that, if we could get Franco to do something about this situation, we would perhaps be taking a first and most important step leading to Spain’s acceptance by her European neighbors. I am, therefore, setting forth for your consideration the following steps, which Franco might be induced to take in full or in part:
- 1.
- Replace the present Falangist Minister of Labor with a more liberal and non-Falangist Minister.
- 2.
- After step one above, the Spanish Government allow the Spanish trade unionists in exile to return to Spain with a guarantee or agreement that they will not be persecuted for their previous political or trade union activity.
- 3.
- Give consideration (and this might be difficult if not impossible) to permitting the establishment of non-political trade unions in Spain. You will recall the Peruvian precedent. When a similar situation existed in Peru, the Peruvian Government finally permitted Peruvian trade unionists in exile to return to Peru and organize non-political unions on the basis of a new Peruvian trade union law which prohibited any direct or indirect affiliation or participation in politics of the so-called free and non-political trade unions. Such a step as this would not fully satisfy either the American labor organizations or indeed some of the European trade unions, but I am convinced that they would think this was a long step in the right direction.
- 4.
- Either on the basis of two or three above, or both, the returned Spanish trade unionists might invite representatives of organized American labor to visit Spain and circulate freely, talking to their Spanish trade union colleagues.
From my talks with certain leading representatives of organized American labor, I believe a program along the foregoing lines would take some of the labor heat off the Franco Government. I fully recognize that a program along the lines of the above may be [Page 871] impossible of acceptance by Franco; but steps in this direction would, in my opinion, be the best evidence of an indication on Franco’s part to liberalize his regime in a practical way. I have talked to Cy Sulzberger and other people who are interested in Spain along the lines of the above. Cy, I know, intended to talk to you about this while you were in Paris.
In conclusion, may I express the hope that you will forgive my temerity in writing you about matters which are far beyond the scope of my present job. I do believe, however, so firmly in the necessity of doing everything we can to see Spain integrated solidly into the community of Western democratic nations, that I have taken the liberty of putting down these thoughts on paper for whatever they may or may not be worth.
With every good wish,
Sincerely,