852.00/5342: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received May 6—4:40 p.m.]
256. My despatch No. 1276, April 27,77 on the fading prestige of Largo Caballero, am informed directly from Del Vayo that his mysterious stay in Paris is concerned with the plan determined upon to replace Caballero without delay. The indications all point to Prieto as the successor since he is backed up [omission] forces. A smaller element would prefer Araquistain, Ambassador in Paris, but his friends and he himself will acquiesce in choice of Prieto. Del Vayo’s conferences with Araquistain are on this subject.
[Page 294]Am sending by today’s pouch photostat reproduction of a memorandum in the alleged handwriting of Goicoechea78 on agreement reached in Rome March 31, 1934, between representatives of the Monarchist and Carlist parties and Spanish military officers and Mussolini in which the latter pledges assistance in the destruction of existing Spanish regime. This paper taken in raid on Monarchist headquarters in Madrid in August and sent to Foreign Office and not examined until recently. Del Vayo will not embarrass England and France by exercising his right to demand a special meeting of the League of Nations but will place this matter on the agenda for the regular meeting the latter part of the month.