Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume II

881.00/7–1845: Telegram

No. 1352
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Acting Secretary of State¹

secret

London, July 18, 1945—5 p.m.

7242. The British do not intend to raise Tangier question at big three meeting except in so far as determining whether Russia will participate is concerned, according to Harvey and Garran of FonOff. Embassy was told today that while Russian request presumably will be granted British hope to use their concurrence as bargaining point with Russia. It was stated British are dissatisfied with tardy and sometimes unsatisfactory Soviet action on British requests. Garran said Spanish Under Secretary Castillo has told Bowker if Russians brought in Spain will revert to status quo ante 1923. FonOff evidently believes Soviet Govt out to embarrass Franco to fullest and has noted anti-Franco Soviet broadcasts recently stepped up considerably.

Sent Dept as 7242; repeated Paris 461; Madrid 190; Tangier 44; Moscow 255.

Winant

1. The gist of this message was included in telegram No. 65 of July 19 from Grew to Byrnes (file No. 800.00 Summaries/7–1945).