352.1115/3000
The Ambassador in Spain ( Bowers ), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received February 15.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that I note in the press that the Department is considerably concerned over the persistent sojourn of numerous Americans, half Filipinos and Porto Ricans, in the Embassy in Madrid. I share in this concern. I have assumed that in cases where Americans are in danger it is our duty to give them refuge in the Embassy, but only until arrangements can be made for their evacuation. All now in the Embassy have been importuned time and again to avail themselves of the opportunity to leave. I am firmly convinced, now that the more substantial element of Americans has gone, that those remaining have no other thought than of remaining in the Embassy with free bed and board as long as the war lasts. I cannot conceive that it is our duty to keep them indefinitely.
There are other phases, however, that concern me. I am afraid that among those now in the Embassy are a few at least who are not desirable from the viewpoint of preventing any sort of incident. Confidentially, among the poorer Porto Ricans are some who during the two months preceding the rebellion followed a Porto Rican communist about cheering his denunciations of American rule in Porto Rico and denouncing ours as a plutocratic nation. These were among the first to claim the protection of the Embassy. These are potential mischief makers.
I know of one instance where a young Jewish communist and his father or family were in the Embassy. Recently all left but the son who said that he preferred to stay “and see it out”.
There is another case of a man who has taken refuge in the Embassy because he fears for his life on account of his pronounced monarch-istic leanings. He is a Filipino. We recently made a fight and had his son released after his arrest because of his active membership in the fascist organization.
Thus we have monarchists, communists, probably fascists, all enemies of the Spanish Government and also of American institutions and ideals, and I am concerned lest in the final stages of the struggle [Page 477] some of these commit some offense which may turn the fury of either the loyalists or insurgents against the Embassy. One shot, one stone from the Embassy grounds might involve us in serious trouble.
I am told that the man in charge at the Embassy is a good and reliable man but I am wondering if in case of trouble he will have the authority to control all our boarders.
There is still another phase: The Government has asked for the evacuation of all noncombatants from Madrid to the end that the food may be conserved for the fighting forces. We are sending one of our men into the country in a car to forage for food and thus we put ourselves in a sense in competition with the Government which needs the food for the soldiers.
It has been suggested to me by some of my colleagues that we might well fix a date sufficiently in advance for the closing of the Embassy to all but the caretaker, the one man with a connection with the Embassy staff. That would be well if all who are now in the Embassy can be removed from the city. In view of the character of some of these, as I see it, it might be dangerous to turn them loose in Madrid, since in resentment they might circulate falsehoods among the populace and work up a feeling against us and the Embassy.
The property we occupy, one of the most valuable in the city as to house and furnishings, including seven Goyas and other works of art that are not tied down, is not ours. We are responsible for damages to the property from within. I often cringe over the possibilities in the contemplation of the character of some of the people who almost certainly are there.
The Department may wish my views in determining what it will do in the matter. The more we can get out through pressure the better, even though we do not close the Embassy. I have known some “Americans” in Madrid I would not trust in a room with a peseta lying about, and I am afraid that some of this type are there now. I may be unduly concerned and may do an injustice to all who are in the Embassy now, but we have been so successful to keeping out of incidents through our rigid neutrality that I am most anxious that nothing occur in the last stages to mar the record.
Respectfully yours,