811.20 Defense (M) Spain/1302: Telegram

The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State

1347. Following from George1 for the Secretary:

“I have discussed all night with Carceller wolfram problem and he assures me that temporary embargo will be continued until end of this month and that thereafter his Government will agree to limiting exports to 20 tons a month for May and June to enemy destinations, thereafter to 50 tons monthly. While this may not appear to represent a very great improvement I find his arguments logical and believe we should agree to this. I should be grateful for the Department’s immediate reply as I have told Carceller I would endeavor to furnish a reply on Friday.2 I told Carceller I had no authority to agree to any exports during these months but would submit his proposal. I told him that should Washington by chance agree I did not wish to be embarrassed by then being told the Spanish Government was not behind Carceller. He assured me this would not happen.

If this is acceptable to Department I would wish to communicate it simultaneously to Jordana.[”]

Hayes
  1. W. Perry George, Assistant Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs, temporarily in Spain as a special negotiator.
  2. April 21.