Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

881.00/1774: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

London, November 5, 1940—6 p.m.
[Received 8:05 p.m.]

3638. I was informed at the Foreign Office this morning that Sir Samuel Hoare¹⁹ on his own had made a vigorous protest at Madrid against the Spanish action in taking over Tangier. This action of the British Ambassador appears to have cut across other action which the Government was contemplating, based on a plan for joint representations by the signatories and adherents of the Tangier Convention. They realize that under present conditions this would practically amount to a British protest as Sweden is the only other country a party to the convention which is not either in the enemy camp or under enemy occupation. They had felt that this approach would keep the protest strictly within the limit of treaty rights as the Spanish action is considered here to be a very high-handed move. Sir Samuel Hoare having already acted, they are now considering what the next step may be.

Johnson

19. British Ambassador in Spain.