852.00/8193
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 5.]
Sir: With reference to the Embassy’s despatch No. 460 of June 3, 1938, and previous despatches concerning nonintervention, I have the honor to report that, according to a communiqué issued after a meeting of the Chairman’s Sub–Committee yesterday, the British formula for the withdrawal of foreign volunteers was unanimously accepted. The Sub–Committee also gave unanimous approval to the strengthening of sea and land control and the establishment of observers in certain Spanish ports. This result was made possible by the attitude of the Russian representative who told the Committee that his Government was not altogether satisfied with the plan for coastal control but was willing to approve it in a spirit of compromise.
This means that all the Powers on the Sub–Committee have agreed that commissions should be sent to Spain to count the foreign combatants on each side and that when 10,000 auxiliaries have been withdrawn from the side found to have the fewer, and a proportionately [Page 220] higher number from the other side, belligerent rights should be granted. While the count is taking place, land frontiers should again be controlled.
The Sub–Committee also examined the financial scheme for the British plan and the Soviet representative reiterated that his Government would not pay anything toward the cost of repatriating Italian combatants, but offered to share in the cost of administration and certain other activities. The Sub–Committee is scheduled to meet again the end of this week. Apart from the final settlement of the financial question, other technical matters will have to be dealt with before the two commissions can be despatched to Spain.
When these matters are settled, the formula must be submitted to the whole Non-intervention Committee and it is hoped that by that time replies will have been received from the two Spanish parties. According to one estimate, this should be about July 15 to July 20, and if Barcelona and Burgos consent, as is expected, the commissions should be able to start in Spain toward the end of July or the first days of August “provided no further difficulties arise.”
Respectfully yours,