352.115/78: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Barcelona (Perkins)
Your undated telegram received September 6th relating to Cataluna decree of prohibition on gold. Please inform first, whether the Catalan Government had authority under Spanish Government to issue decree and whether it was regularly issued in accordance with law, second whether it allows safety deposit boxes to be opened without permission or presence of their owners, and third whether the pesetas proposed to be given actually have the value at which they are reckoned. We are making same inquiry of Madrid.23 Defer protest pending instructions. You are, of course, aware of our own legislation that requires delivery of all gold to Federal Reserve Banks. It is possible that Catalan plan is of same nature and is, therefore, not subject to objection by us.
- Telegram No. 115, September 10, 2 p.m., to the Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain, not printed.↩