852.01/856: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain ( Hayes ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 29—9:24 p.m.]
2330. I told Jordana Thursday about reports reaching me of efforts of Falange to conscript new members for Blue Division. I said I considered this very serious and foresaw it would make bad situation worse.
He said he would like to talk frankly about Blue Division. He had long believed that sending of division was a mistake and that it should be withdrawn. Franco had been very favorably impressed by what I said to him on July 28 about the Blue Division26 and he now shared Jordana’s belief it should be withdrawn.
However, while I had spoken to Franco quietly and without fanfare Hoare27 had since gone to him with trumpets and the BBC28 had broadcast to effect that Hoare had made representations about Blue Division and British Embassy had clearly said same thing. As a result both German and Italian Ambassadors29 had protested vigorously to Spanish Government, which did not lessen the practical difficulty of withdrawing the division. The gesture of withdrawing it had no value to Spain unless it appeared to be voluntary and British Ambassador probably unwittingly had now made it appear he was exerting pressure on Spain and hence he had made it difficult and perhaps postponed date of action. However, Jordana believed division would eventually be withdrawn and he hoped I would have patience in understanding.
He said he would take up matter of recruiting with Franco and he thought it would be stopped.
While foregoing may possibly appear [to] be an effort on Jordana’s part to drive wedge between British and US I have no reason to believe it is. Publicity locally and by BBC given to Hoare’s call on Franco much commented on locally, especially by those familiar with earlier conversation to which we were careful to give no publicity. Counselor British Embassy30 said publicity was London’s idea. Hoare told me on the other hand it was due to overenthusiasm of boys in press section. More probable Hoare endeavoring to repair political [Page 619] fences in England. I have not told British Chargé of my conversation with Jordana.
See my 2314, August 27.31
Repeated to London.