740.0011 European War 1939/24750: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:44 p.m.]
1514. For the Under Secretary. My 1493, October 7, 8 p.m.60 In dispatch 336, October 7,60 which is now awaiting the Clipper at Lisbon, I recommended, on the basis of my study of the Spanish situation that in the event of a United Nations landing in French Morocco, Spanish territory should be respected unless Spain or the Axis gives us justification for entering it. I consider that if this policy is followed Spain may remain neutral and might even be led to enter the war on our side.
I expressed opinion that even if Spain entered the war on the side of the Axis our difficulties would be less than if we had violated Spanish territory without provocation because our moral position would have been safeguarded and the German position in Spain would be more difficult because the Axis and not we would have the responsibility for Spain’s entry into the war.
I expressed the opinion further that the military risk in awaiting Spanish and Axis reaction to a landing in French Morocco would not be great particularly when weighed against possibility that Spain might remain neutral or even enter the war on our side.
Our Military and Naval Attachés agree.
The British Ambassador who has just returned from London tells me he told Salazar, with his Government’s authorization, that Portuguese territory would be respected in the event of a landing in French Morocco and he is authorized to make a similar statement to Franco with regard to Spanish territory.
In despatch referred to I Requested authorization to make such a statement to Franco. If this fits in with our policy I request such authorization be given me by telegram.
I would make clear, of course, that I had no information that any decision to landing in French Morocco had been made although our War Department has a plan for such a possible landing as it has for other possible landings in this hemisphere.