740.0011 European War 1939/26311: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8—2:20 p.m.]
1994. My 1952, December 3, 7 p.m. Department’s 1362, December 4, 7 p.m. During my call on Jordana this afternoon I referred first to his suggestion that troops be withdrawn to some distance from the border between French and Spanish Morocco. He said that the proximity of the troops gave him serious concern and gave General Orgaz who had reported it to him, equal concern. According to General Orgaz we had moved our troops to the border first and Orgaz had countered by moving Spanish troops to the border.
Continuing, I pointed out the guarantees that we had given to Spain and referred to rumors that garrisons in Spanish Morocco were being increased and that additional Spanish troops were being moved toward the French Moroccan border. I said the rumors might be unfounded but I was apprehensive lest they might be interpreted as indicating that the Spanish Government did not believe our guarantees or that more specific guarantees from the Spanish Government were needed.
I reminded him in this connection of the assurances that I had given General Franco and that the Department had given Ambassador Cárdenas and I in turn requested assurances that Spain had no aggressive intention in Spanish Morocco and that Spanish forces there would not be used except to defend Spanish neutrality and Spain’s present frontiers.
The Minister states categorically that General Franco, and the entire Spanish Government accepted our guarantees and believed them. They had no idea we intended to attack Spain.
He said Spain had given explicit assurances to the United States but he was glad and willing to renew them and to emphasize them. He then assured me as follows:
Any and every movement of Spanish forces, including the mobilization now going on, whether in Spanish Morocco or the peninsula, or [Page 318] in the Canaries or Balearics, or in any Spanish colony, is directed solely at asserting to the Spanish people and to all foreign nations the firm determination of the Spanish Government to keep out of the war and to resist with force any nation which might seek to bring Spain into the war or might violate any of Spain’s territories anywhere. This is directed against all nations impartially. Spain’s entire policy is predicated upon impartiality and defense, defense within existing territories. He requested me to inform my Government accordingly.
He then referred jocularly to the many rumors being spread. He said he knew where some of them came from. Some arose in Lisbon, and others in Spain. He said he made it a practice not to pay attention to such rumors, and requested me when I heard them to bring them to his attention and give him an opportunity to comment on them.
He then said “I speak for the Caudillo. I tell the truth and only the truth”.
He then suggested that it would have an excellent effect if the Commander-in-Chief of the American Forces would call on General Orgaz in Spanish Morocco. I transmit this suggestion with an earnest request that it be given favorable consideration. I agree with Jordana that the effect in Spain would be excellent and I believe that the suggestion is evidence of good will and good faith on the part of Spain.
My conversation was entirely satisfactory and very reassuring and confirms the impression I have had and communicated to the Department that the policy of the Spanish Government is directed squarely at keeping out of the war. Jordana’s statement that Spain will resist with force any nation which might seek to force it into the war or might violate any of its territories is particularly reassuring.