852.00/6671
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I have your letter of September 7, and have read with a great deal of interest the document signed by Senor Aguirre, President of the Basque Government,71a setting forth the terms of the capitulation agreed upon between the Basque authorities and the command of the Italian forces on the Santander front. I have also read with sympathetic interest the letter addressed to the President by Senor Aguirre,72 requesting the President to obtain the fulfillment of the terms of this capitulation.
As you know, we have been particularly careful in the observance of our policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of another country throughout the course of the present unfortunate conflict in Spain. In accordance with this policy we have refrained from participation in the activities of the Non-intervention Committee at London, and we have declined to join in various proposals that have been made from time to time for joint action with a view to mediation, or to participate in any other form of diplomatic intervention in that conflict.
I feel, therefore, that the best procedure would be, as you suggest in your letter, to inform Senor Aguirre informally that we have given sympathetic consideration to his request, but in view of our well-known policy of non-interference in the Spanish conflict the President cannot undertake to comply therewith.
Sincerely yours,