352.3715/30: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:35 p.m.]
X–527. Department’s 273, March 3, 6 p.m. Clerk of Cuban Embassy now in Valencia states that approximately 200 of the refugees mentioned are Cubans whose documents are in good order. The remaining 250 are Spaniards. He states also that negotiations are in course between Cuban and French Governments with respect to general subject of entry into and residence in France and specific subject of controlled residence of Spaniards of military age. Negotiations on the latter point likewise are in progress with Spanish Government which may decline to recede from its stand that such persons must be taken to country whose mission afforded asylum.
The Spanish Government apparently insists that the evacuation of refugees in foreign missions in Madrid shall be effected in groups of about 50, and that only one such group must be in Valencia at a given time. This would mean four trips for one of our vessels for the Cubans alone which in view of press reports indicating the presence of drifting mines in Mediterranean waters should be taken into account.