852.00/10085: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 9—10:12 a.m.]
1300. I made my first call on the new Foreign Minister,54 this morning, and talked to him more than an hour. His attitude was courteous, dignified and very friendly. He recalled with satisfaction the relations that he had had with our representatives during and since the Civil War, and of the economic cooperation which had characterized out relations. He emphasized the atmosphere of friendliness which was being fostered by our supply program and indicated he was anxious to cooperate in assuring its continued success. He spoke of the pleasure with which he read our information bulletins and indicated a desire to see that the Spanish press should not offend either side in the present war. He said he would pay particular attention to the publication of our official communiqués. He asked that I convey his most cordial greetings to the Secretary of State.
[Page 296]He is of course much easier to talk to than his predecessor, and I foresee that I shall be able to discuss matters of importance to both our Governments with considerable frankness and in an atmosphere of much greater friendliness than was possible with Suñer.
See my telegrams Nos. 1298 September 8, 2 p.m., and 1299, September 8, 3 p.m.55 The crowd of shirted Falangists who always surrounded Suñer in the Ministry were conspicuous by their absence.