File No. 763.72111Sp1/15

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

[Telegram]

648. The King this afternoon signed the following Royal decree:

  • Article 1. Submarines of every class of all belligerent nations are prohibited in Spanish jurisdictional waters and entrance into Spanish ports.
  • Art. 2. All submarines included in the previous article which enter Spanish jurisdiction for whatsoever reason shall be interned until the close of the war.
  • Art. 3. Neutral submarines entering Spanish jurisdictional waters must navigate on the surface and show plainly the national flag.
  • Art. 4. The Royal decree of November 23, 1914, shall remain in force in so far as it is not modified by the present decree.

Willard