740.0011 European War 1939/10819: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7 p.m.]
396. Department’s Nos. 200, April 22, 7 p.m., and 220, May 6, 7 p.m. The Chief of Protocol of the Foreign Office after soliciting appointment called on me this morning saying that he did so by instruction of the Foreign Minister to say that the Chief of State had been so engrossed recently with matters connected with internal administration, ministerial changes, et cetera, that the Minister has been unable as yet to fix an appointment for me to be received but that this he would endeavor to do at an early date. I told my caller that I was naturally surprised and disappointed at the delay since my Government had instructed me to hold the interview at the earliest possible date and that in the circumstances I could only report the matter to Washington.
In reply to my inquiry the Chief of Protocol said that he personally thought my call on the Caudillo would be fixed for this week.
I asked the Chief of Protocol if he thought other ministerial changes were impending. He replied in the negative save to add that, as [Page 898] I had doubtless heard, there was much talk of the retirement of the Minister of Finance.