740.0011 European War 1939/25234: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:22 p.m.]
1669. For the Under Secretary. Military Attaché has just been told by well informed Spanish Army officer that Germany last week [Page 302] asked Spain for permission to send army through peninsula. Informant not sure, but believes that request was conditional on Allied military operations in Morocco or Canaries. I suspect connection of such a request with Foreign Minister’s recent obvious, anxiety to obtain assurances from us simultaneously through Cárdenas and myself. Reference my 1649, October 30, and your October 31, 5 p.m.
Naval Attaché just returned from Lisbon reports on authority of British Naval Attaché there that Germans have instructions to terminate their purchasing program in Portugal by November 20. I am discreetly seeking information about any possible similar development in Spain.