852.00/2907: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spain (Wendelin) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 1—1 a.m.]
115. Department’s telegram No. 102 of August 30, 11 p.m. I personally delivered the note to the Under Secretary of State this afternoon regarding attack on U. S. Destroyer Kane, enclosing copy of report of commander of ship, and requesting categorical statement as to whether attacking plane was a Government plane and that instructions in the strongest terms be given to the Government forces to prevent another incident of this character.
The Under Secretary of State expressed the profound regret of his Government that this attack should have been made upon any American ship, regardless of whether it was made by Government or rebel plane. He promised that an immediate investigation would be made by the Ministries of War and Marine to establish whether this plane could have been a Government plane. At 8 p.m. tonight he telephoned to inform me that the Minister of State had personally conferred with the commander of the Government air forces and was able now to state categorically that no Government planes were operating in the area where this incident occurred on August 30 and that moreover the Spanish Government possessed no planes of the type described by the commander of the Kane. The Sub-Secretary added that instructions had been given some time ago to all armed forces of the Government to respect all foreign vessels. He expressed the appreciation of the Spanish Government for the friendly tone of the American Government’s communication and promised a formal reply very shortly.
I was unable to see the Minister of State personally because he was attending a session of the Council of Ministers this afternoon.