740.0011 European War 1939/26046
The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Spanish Ambassador (Cárdenas)
My Dear Juan: In your personal letter to me of November 1770 you reiterate the request, on behalf of your Government, that some [Page 312] confirmation be given by this Government that the assurances proffered by the President of the United States in his message to General Franco refer not only to the actual operations in Africa but apply as well to the duration of the present world conflict.
I have laid your request before the President.
The President specifically authorized me to inform you for the advice of your Government that while he had believed that the assurances as to the policy of this Government as set forth in his message above referred to were so categorical and so clear as to cover the point you mention, he is nevertheless happy to have me state to you in his name that the assurances he has conveyed to General Franco refer not only to the course of the actual military operations in Africa, but apply likewise to the entire duration of the war in which the United States is now engaged.
Believe me [etc.]
- Not printed.↩