611.526 Wines/3: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 21—10:30 a.m.]
81. Surprise rapidly turning to indignant resentment because of notable discrimination against Spanish wines in the quota and press reports that for small concession France to be given ten times more. Feeling here that failure to invite similar bargaining with this country indicative of unfriendliness. Wine people are demanding Government here protest. El Sol carries attack in which such American interests as telephone company significantly mentioned. Rock4 ascribes it to the reaction on wine and is so informing New York. A stiff indifferent attitude on Spanish wines harmful at this time. With Mallorcan hearing5 probable within a week present insignificant quota Spanish wine compared with Italy and France will if continued accentuate all American problems here.