703.5200/4a
The Secretary of State to
the Ambassador in Spain (Woods)
Washington, January 21,
1922.
No. 18
Sir: I enclose, with office copy, a sealed
communication to the King of Spain, in which the President expresses to
His Majesty the thanks and appreciation of the Government and people of
the United States on account of the services rendered by Spanish
officials in looking after American interests in Germany and Austria
Hungary during the late war.
You will please forward the office copy to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs and deliver the original in the manner most agreeable to His
Majesty.
I am [etc.]
For the Secretary of State:
Henry
P. Fletcher
[Page 915]
[Enclosure]
President Harding to King Alfonso
XIII
Great and Good Friend: When by force of
events the entry of the United States into the late war as a
belligerent became inescapable, Your Majesty graciously consented to
permit the diplomatic and consular officers of Spain to take charge
of American interests in Germany and Austria-Hungary. For more than
four years the task thus undertaken was performed by these officers,
often with personal self-sacrifice, in a manner which left nothing
to be desired by the Government of the United States, and with a
willingness and an efficiency deserving and receiving the gratitude
of that Government.
While the Government of the United States has not failed to express
its appreciation to individual Spanish officials, now that the
resumption of diplomatic relations by the United States with
Germany, Austria and Hungary has made unnecessary the further
exercise of the good offices of Your Majesty’s officers, I deem it a
duty, in the discharge of which I find exceptional pleasure, to
assure Your Majesty of the grateful thanks of the Government and
people of the United States for Your Majesty’s favor and of their
high sense of appreciation of the valuable services which Your
Majesty’s officers have rendered in their behalf.
May God have Your Majesty in His wise Keeping.
Warren G. Harding
By the President:
Charles E.
Hughes
Secretary of
State
Washington, January 13,
1922.