852.00/4760: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France

B–130. We do not feel that any of our naval vessels should visit Spanish northcoast ports except in a grave emergency. In the light of General Franco’s denial that the civil population has been ordered to evacuate Bilbao or that such a measure has ever been contemplated, we are not of the opinion after most careful consideration of the situation described in your despatch 1250 of February 2 and your telegrams 215 and 217 of February 18 and February 2237 that such an emergency exists at this time. Neither the cases of Manuel Ynchausti, Radio Films S. A. E., nor Chapman’s38 desire to supply our Spanish staff with extra food are considered in themselves sufficient warrant for a visit to Bilbao at this time while with regard to the other cases it is noted that some are located in the Vigo district which is perfectly quiet, gome in Burgos province which is likewise quiet, some are at Gijon where previous visits have been fruitless and which Chapman recommends against visiting, some cannot be reached because behind the Oviedo fighting line, in other cases the address is not known, and in the case of one group it is estimated that 2 or 3 days would be required to find and bring them out.

With reference to the statement in paragraph 2 of your despatch 1250 that Consul Chapman has just been informed that there are as many as 20 persons now in and around Santander who wish to be evacuated, it is noted that Chapman in his despatch No. 1 of January 2739 states “The most of the people who appeal for evacuation are not entitled to be evacuated under our rule against evacuating Spanish nationals”. Chapman also points out that although on past occasions the number of the appeals for help had led him to believe that 50 or 60 people would be evacuated the response was negligible when a visit was actually made. It also appears from Chapman’s despatch that the American nationals who request evacuation from this area are Filipinos, Puerto Ricans and persons of Spanish origin who have strong local ties and [Page 482] who wish to be evacuated if some extremely dangerous situation should arise but cannot be induced to depart before such time. Chapman several times emphasizes his failure to evacuate any refugees in such cases even when several days were spent in port. All Americans in Spain have repeatedly been urged to depart and this Government has made every effort to provide them with the means to do so. It has been pointed out to these persons a number of times that American naval vessels might not always be available to evacuate them and we do not feel therefore that we should send one of our naval vessels into the northcoast ports while the danger from drifting mines persists unless a serious emergency makes such action absolutely necessary. Similarly we do not feel that a motor trip from St. Jean de Luz would be warranted since the persons whom it might be possible to reach by this means appear to be in no immediate danger.

Hull
  1. None printed.
  2. William E. Chapman, Consul at Bilbao.
  3. Not printed.