862.20281/150: Telegram
The Counselor of Legation at Tangier (Childs) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:43 p.m.]
139. As previously reported in our 36, February 1828 German subs are using Atlantic coastline of Spanish Morocco and Tangier zone to elude pursuit by Allied planes and to lurk in comparative safety in quiet waters preparatory to attacks on shipping entering the Mediterranean.
It is understood that Allied authorities are considering institution of a regular air patrol of the Atlantic Spanish Morocco coast involving regular flights over Spanish Morocco territorial waters. While previously Spanish shore batteries apparently made no serious efforts to damage Allied planes approaching near the coast more recently Allied Naval authorities have been intensely annoyed by the more serious firing of such batteries against planes in active pursuit of subs.
I expect to see Orgaz29 in next few days when I propose to bring this situation to his attention unless Department has some objection. At such time I would state that Spanish authorities cannot reasonably object on grounds of Spanish neutrality to pursuit by Allied planes of Axis subs when these make use improperly of Spanish Morocco territorial waters.