740.0011 European War 1939/25234: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Hayes)
1161. Your 1669, November 3, 4 p.m. The President has been consulted with regard to the contents of your message and you are authorized to make the following statement either directly to General Franco or to him through the Foreign Minister at the moment that you consider such a message would be helpful and expedient:
You should refer to the statement you have already made to General Franco as reported in your 1671, 6 p.m., that it is the purpose of the Government of the United States to do everything possible to prevent Spain from being brought into the war and that Spain’s desire to remain out of the war is fully recognized by the United States.
You should add that in recognition of the difficult situation in which Spain finds herself, this Government intends immediately to consider the enlargement of the scope of its present economic arrangements with Spain so that some of the supplies needed by Spain can be more readily obtained and can be procured in greater volume by the Spanish Government within the United States. So long as Spain remains out of the conflict and does not permit her territory to be infringed by the Axis powers, the rendering of such increased economic assistance by the United States will be feasible.
You should then continue by stating that reports have reached the attention of your Government that Germany has either made, or is considering making, demands upon Spain to move forces into Spain. Your Government, confidently believes that any such attempt would be resisted by the Spanish Government. You should then state that, in such contingency and should Spain resist and so desire, the Government of the United States would at the earliest possible moment offer all support to Spain which would be practicable.
When you make this statement, telegraph the Department immediately, informing it of any observations which may be made in reply.