852.00/6702
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
The Spanish Ambassador called this afternoon and, finding you in the Cabinet Meeting, asked to see me. He presented the attached memorandum,69 with its enclosure,70 and begged that it be brought to your attention at the earliest moment.
The Ambassador told me that, in addition to the information supplied, the Spanish Government had well authenticated reports of the strengthening of Italian forces at Majorca, the strategic position of which rendered it extraordinarily dangerous for Europe.
In fact, the Ambassador believed that the next few days were full of tragic possibilities for Europe. It appeared that Italy was about to reject the French-British offer and, in view of information respecting the landing of Italian troops in Cadiz and Italian air reinforcements in Majorca, he thought the French Government would be constrained to speak firmly.
The Ambassador asked me if I had any conception as to whether the Cabinet this afternoon was considering this hazardous European situation. I replied that I had no idea. He asked whether, if an extension of hostilities broke out in Europe, this Government would act rapidly along the lines of the President’s speech.71 I replied that nobody could give him an answer to such a question, which could only be met when the circumstances were known.