740.0011 European War 1939/11474: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain ( Weddell )
284. Your 480, May 31 [30], 2 a.m.25 You should reply in writing to the communication of May 27 from the Foreign Minister in language which, while polite, should at the same time be vigorous and firm.
The reply should refer to the fact that in past months the Spanish Government has repeatedly indicated a desire to obtain economic assistance from the United States, chiefly in the form of credits for the purchase of needed foodstuffs and raw materials. Recently we have also received frequent requests from the Spanish Government to relax existing export controls in order to make available certain products which the Spanish Government has been particularly interested in acquiring. You should point out that you have sought to see General Franco several times within the past few weeks primarily to discuss with him the possibility of initiating discussions with a view to broadening and liberalizing the basis of mutual trade between Spain and the United States. You should add that you have reason to believe that the outcome of such discussions would have been favorable and mutually beneficial.
Your reply should refer to the extraordinary language of the Foreign Minister’s note which seems a deliberate attempt to disregard the right of an Ambassador, immemorially recognized in the relations between States and the Heads of States, to be received by the Chief of the State to whom he is accredited at any time. If the position taken in this note is to be accepted as indicating a change in the views and procedure of the Spanish Government on this subject, we shall naturally be forced to reconsider our own policy in view of that development.