852.00/5464: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received May 18—5:40 p.m.]
262. Assume Thurston has reported new government. Prieto eliminated himself on ground his elevation at the expense of Largo Caballero, his chief rival, would embitter the latter’s friends. Negrín, the ablest man in the old government and one of ablest and most cultured in Spain, still is reasonably conservative. To eliminate the Syndicalists, the decision was reached to appoint none but representatives of parties. But this elimination of the C. N. T. carried with it the elimination of Del Vayo who represented the U. G. T. He will probably go to Geneva. The drastic change toward the Bight illustrated in the substitution as Minister of Justice of a Basque Catholic for an Anarchist in the old regime.
Giral a close personal friend of Azaña and his appointment probably means that Azaña himself will be the real directing force in the Foreign Office.
There is a disposition to ascribe the changes to an agreement reached between the British Government and Besteiro, now in London representing Spain at the coronation. He is a moderate highly regarded in London.
My information comes from high source in Paris. Araquistain has resigned post in Paris. Does not give reason. His friends here think he may resent elimination of the U. G. T.