Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

611.52/7–2352

No. 862
President Truman to Generalissimo Franco ¹

Washington , July 23, 1952.

My Dear Generalissimo Franco: Thank you for your letter of March seventeenth and for your expression of appreciation for the efforts being made by the United States on behalf of world peace and security.

I was interested in your comments concerning freedom of religion, although it is apparent that there are fundamental differences between the views you have expressed and the attitude of the United States on this subject. In this country the tradition of civil liberties, particularly freedom of speech, of assembly, of the press and of worship, is deeply ingrained, not by compulsion of circumstances but by the choice and conviction of the American people.

I was glad to have your views about the negotiations which are now in progress, and I share your hope that they will come to a successful conclusion. I anticipate, as you do, that they will lead to closer ties between the people of the United States and the people of Spain, who are already joined by many bonds of friendship and understanding. I believe it is to the mutual benefit of both countries to develop these ties and to find means for working together to help strengthen the defense of the Western nations against the danger that confronts us all.

Very sincerely yours,

Harry S. Truman

1. For background information regarding this letter, see Document 839. A reply similar to this letter had been drafted and presented by the Secretary of State to President Truman on May 14, but the President had preferred at that time not to send it. (Memorandum for file by Dunham, June 16, 1952; 611.52/6–652) But in July, the President learned that the Spanish Ambassador was wondering when a reply to the Franco letter of Mar. 17 would be forthcoming, and, not wanting to be discourteous, directed that another draft be submitted to him. (Memorandum from Bonbright to the Secretary of State, July 10, 1952; 611.52/7–2152) According to a handwritten notation on a covering memorandum to this letter, dated July 23, from Matthew J. Connelly, Secretary to President, to the Secretary of State, this letter was handed to Espinosa, the First Secretary of the Spanish Embassy, on July 28.