352.1115/4007: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Bowers), Then in France, to the Secretary of State
[Received August 21—10:55 a.m.]
339. Thurston reports that Giral states that “he will send appropriate instructions to Gijon at once” but because of difficulties of communication requests return trip of Kane be delayed until about Tuesday. Have released Kane for fueling near Bordeaux with assurance not be needed here before Wednesday or Thursday. My fixed conviction is that now we must bring Americans out.
George93 at Bordeaux reports application for visa from Spaniard of military age posing as naturalized Cuban with Cuban passport issued by Brazilian Vice Consul at Gijon; admission made that naturalization occurred in Spain. Official from Cuban Consulate, Bordeaux, with him assured George this was possible under Cuban law; when George proposed to look up the law Cuban Consul then confessed such naturalization impossible normally but “In present emergency in Spain large numbers of Spaniards becoming naturalized Cuban citizens”. George refused visa. Estimated that from 50 to 80% Cubans brought out on Kane were Spaniards.
- William P. George, Consul at Bordeaux.↩