852.00/8605
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received November 12.]
Sir: In further reference to the Hemming Commission’s activities in Burgos, I have the honor to report that its mission and activities are most carefully concealed from the British correspondents here, and that there is no reason to believe that the reason given by the British Government, that is the wish to “explain” the Non-intervention Committee’s withdrawal plan and to persuade General Franco to accept it, is the true reason. In my dispatch at the time this Commission appeared here99 I expressed the conviction that the sole purpose is to exaggerate out of all proportions the withdrawal of the 10,000 Italians and to declare this a complete compliance with Mr. Chamberlain’s demand that there shall be a “settlement” of the Spanish question before the Anglo-Italian agreement can be put into effect. There can scarcely be any doubt of it now.
The fact that Hemming went to Cadiz to witness the departure of these Italians, though he had stoutly declared such was not his purpose, and that a British official was sent to Naples to witness the landing there, leaves no room to doubt that this withdrawal of a small part of the Italian army is to be used by Mr. Chamberlain as a satisfactory settlement.
There is significance also in the fact that the British Broadcast reported fully on every phase of this withdrawal, but has scarcely mentioned the presence in Barcelona of the representatives of several neutral nations, sent by the Council of the League of Nations to supervise the withdrawal of all the foreigners from the other side.
The original position of Chamberlain was that when a “proportionate” number of foreigners on both sides has been withdrawn “in substantial number” he would consider the Spanish question “settled” enough to allow him to put the Italian agreement into operation. With all foreigners leaving loyalist territory, there is manifestly no proportionate withdrawal at all if only 10,000 Italian soldiers leave Franco’s side.
[Page 250]In this connection it must be noted that no Italian aviators, or technicians are leaving, though these are by long odds Mussolini’s most effective contribution to Franco’s cause. On the contrary other Italian aviators have arrived.
In view of the common opinion of everyone from across the border, partisans of Franco, business men having no special partiality, and war correspondents, I feel safe in saying that there is no thought of withdrawing any more Italians.
Respectfully yours,
- Despatch No. 1596, October 17, not printed.↩