740.0011 European War 1939/11491: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 1—7:45 a.m.]
488. Personal for the Secretary and Under Secretary. My 479, May 29, 11 p.m., and my 480, May 30, noon [2 a.m.].23 You will perhaps care to refer to your number 460 [46], April 13, 194024 relating to the unsuccessful effort of the then Foreign Minister to hinder my visit to the Chief of State. In this general connection I may mention that the British Ambassador told me this morning that Suñer had quite recently given three separate appointments and within an hour of each of these telephoned to say that he could not receive him. The Ambassador told me also that he was more disturbed over the Spanish situation than at any time since his arrival (and he is certainly more depressed than I have ever seen him) remarking that “Suñer is doing everything he can to provoke us”. He equally feels that the next 6 weeks will be of heightening critical character with Suñer making every effort in his power to bring Spain squarely in with the Axis and to this end blocking every influence which might affect the Chief of State in a contrary sense from reaching [Page 904] him. My colleague agrees with me in thinking that Suñer, despite the loss of direct control over the police and civil guard, is more firmly seated than before.
- Latter not printed. In this telegram the Ambassador quoted a note of May 27 from the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs saying that the “concession” of an audience with the Chief of State could not be granted because of the many matters with which the latter was occupied. The Ambassador was told he would be informed as soon as an audience was possible. The note added that if the object of this visit was to make some special communication it could be transmitted to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. (740.0011 European War 1939/11474)↩
- Foreign Relations, 1940, vol. ii, p. 872.↩