352.6315/4: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in Spam (Wendelin) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 5—9: 50 p.m.]
X–126. Doctor Brunner, Acting Austrian Chargé d’Affaires and Consul at Madrid, acting under instructions from Austrian Minister at Paris, asked me today if [I] would undertake protection of Austrian nationals in Madrid if he should leave. There are about 60 Austrians in Madrid of whom he estimates half might come to this Embassy for safety if conditions become critical. He stated that Austrian Government might make this request directly to Washington and I said that I thought that would be preferable.
Consul Johnson and I are very reluctant to undertake protection of any foreign nationals or their interests in Madrid for the following reasons: (1) departure of Commercial Attaché’s American staff has so reduced our clerical force that further burden of work impossible; (2) there are still 160 American nationals in Madrid most of whom may come here if situation becomes worse; (3) scarcity now noted in certain food products may become general and therefore Embassy food reserves should be conserved to the utmost. We now have 20 days’ supplies for 100 people.
In view of small number of Austrians I would be willing to grant them asylum in Embassy if need be but earnestly request that in such an event this be not taken as a precedent.