711.52/401: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 1—9:26 p.m.]
1136. I discussed wolfram situation with Jordana today. At end of conversation he handed me personal letter which he had already drafted and signed.
In both letter and conversation he made clear that Spain rejected our request for complete wolfram embargo.
In the letter he said if we rejected Spanish counter proposal transmitted my 1044, March 25, 2 p.m. Spain would be obliged to lift embargo and carry out its commercial agreement with Germany.
In conversation he said if we made no counter proposal Spain would be obliged to lift embargo and depend economically upon Germany.
Jordana referred in both letter and conversation to adverse effect on public opinion in Spain toward Allies if prompt and satisfactory agreement is not reached.
I expressed conviction that Spanish counter proposal would be thoroughly unacceptable to my Government.
I further warned Jordana very seriously of strong reaction in public opinion toward Spain in United States should wolfram embargo be lifted and strong possibility that public pressure would then compel us to take further steps which would have the practical effect of cutting Spain off from overseas sources of supplies.
I said further that in short time Spain would doubtless be cut off by military events from Germany and total result would then be that Spain would be completely isolated. I did not know whether Spanish economy could stand that. It was up to Spain to decide.
Following my conversation with Jordana British Ambassador called and said he is remaining in Spain to await President’s reply to Churchill’s message (my 1119, March 10 [30], 10 p.m.). Hoare expressed belief Spanish counter proposal in my 1024, March 23, 10 p.m.,85 [Page 377] would be acceptable to London but suggested that if it were not acceptable to Washington latter might agree with London to submit joint counter proposal that Spain be permitted to ship wolfram to Germany during 1944 at rate of 50 tons a month, the 300 tons exported in January to constitute total exports to Germany up to June 30. He expressed opinion that an agreement in this sense, by depriving Germany of Spanish wolfram during an additional 3 crucial months would constitute a great victory for us and also permit the prompt realization of our other important objectives in Spain.
Repeated to London, by pouch to Lisbon.
- Not printed; the Spanish asserted that they desired to meet America’s views to maximum within their power but that commitments with Germany prevented them from agreeing to complete cessation of shipments of wolfram during life of existing agreement with Germany (711.52/393).↩