832.00/9–2248: Telegram

The Ambassador in France ( Caffery ) to the Secretary of State

secret
us urgent

5076. Prieto1 group informs us that agreement has been reached between Spanish Monarchists and exiled Spanish Socialist Party for political collaboration designed to lead to replacement Franco by caretaker regime which would prepare for national plebiscite for new Spanish constitution.

This represents culmination of year’s negotiations between representatives of Indalecio Prieto and Gil Robles.2

Copies of signed agreements will be presented to governments of US, UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg on Wednesday, October [Page 1052] 6, to be followed by public announcement. Socialists desire to present their notes at respective Embassies in Paris while Monarchists intend to present theirs simultaneously at respective Embassies in Madrid. It is possible that Prieto may have met with Suñer3 during course of negotiations, but Suñer and element he represents are definitely excluded from alliance. The Monarchists are represented by Gil Robles, with whom Don Juan is reported to be on closest terms.

On Republican side, Socialists represent not only their own party, but also exiled trade union movements, CNT and UGT. They also enjoy support exiled Izquierda Cataluna (Catalunian Left Party), and Alianza Democracia (clandestine non-Communist Republican movement inside Spain).

All Republican elements under Communist influence have been rigorously excluded from negotiation. These include, in addition to Spanish Communist Party, discredited and isolated remnant of Spanish Government in exile under Albornoz and José Giral;4 also fractional fellow-traveler elements from other parties, grouped in Communist Front organization known as “Fighting Spain”. Although Negrín5 reportedly has broken with Del Vayo,6 former has not been consulted by Prieto group, who still regard him with suspicion.

By grouping together all Republican and Monarchist elements and excluding Communists and Falange, it is intended to provide necessary broad basis for substitute regime which was demanded in British-French-US tripartite note of 1946.7

It is expected that Communists will launch violent attack upon this program, accusing Socialists of betraying their Socialist and Republican principles. It is not thought likely, however, that Spanish Government in exile will join in these attacks. Their position is generally considered too precarious.

Sent Department 5076; repeated Madrid 90, London 1003.

Caffery
  1. Indalecio Prieto y Tuero, leader of the Spanish Socialist Party in exile.
  2. José Mari Gil Robles y Quiñones, leader of the Spanish Monarchists in exile.
  3. Probably a reference to Carlos Pi y Suñer, a Spanish left wing radical in exile.
  4. Álvaro de Albornoz y Liminiana, Prime Minister of the Spanish Government in exile; José Giral y Pereira, Prime Minister of the Spanish Government in exile during 1947.
  5. Juan Negrín López, leader of the Spanish Left Wing Socialists in exile.
  6. Julio Álvarez del Vayo, a leading Spanish Republican in exile.
  7. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, March 17, 1946, p. 412.