124.52/115: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—4:32 p.m.]
X–132. Your telegram No. 109, of September 7, 2 p.m. I do not consider it advisable to send gas masks for staff here while many American nationals still in Madrid. Moreover it would be difficult to assure proper size and fit. If the situation becomes such as to threaten personal safety of the Embassy and Consulate staff, I shall inform the Department and prepare to depart to place of safety. I believe possibility of gas attack upon Madrid very remote as such action would alienate world opinion and gravely endanger lives of rebel adherents, especially political prisoners in Madrid. Present rumors of such an attack probably maneuver to shake morale of civilian population.