871.4016 Jews/82: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:46 p.m.]
170. I discussed with Delbos a number of matters:
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2. Spain. Delbos said that he and Chautemps and indeed every one in France was horrified by the most recent bombardment of Barcelona. [Page 156] He was having prepared at the present moment a statement for Chautemps to make on this subject in which there would be a condemnation of such acts of barbarity.
He had suggested to the British Government last night that the London Committee should be summoned at once and should issue an appeal to both belligerents in Spain to refrain from the bombardment of open towns and civilian populations. He added that he had also suggested to Eden that it would be most desirable, if possible, to obtain the adhesion of the Pope and the President of the United States to this appeal. I gave no encouragement to this suggestion.
Delbos went on to say that he intended to make a speech on the 11th of February on the general subject of foreign affairs in which he would suggest an immediate agreement between all nations to eliminate from warfare the bombardment of open towns. He added that he was certain that Hitler would support this proposal and he hoped that the negotiation which might arise from this speech would improve the general atmosphere in Europe.
In this connection he said that he hoped that if the President or the Secretary of State should intend to make a speech on or about the 11th of February it might be possible in that speech to have the idea expressed that the bombardment of open towns should be eliminated from warfare. He said that he understood fully that the United States would not wish to enter into any joint action; but that he felt that a mere expression of opinion from the United States in the same general sense as his words, entirely independent and seemingly unconnected, would have an immense effect. He added that if either the President or the Secretary of State should consider it at all possible to include a remark of this sort in a speech on or about February 11 he would be glad to submit to me in advance the text of the speech which he would make on or about that date.
I replied that I had no idea whether either the President or the Secretary of State might be thinking of making an address on or about February 11.
I venture to suggest that if either the President or yourself should intend to make such a speech a condemnation of the practice of bombing open towns might be of considerable assistance in Europe and could evoke nothing but approval in the United States.
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I also informed Delbos with regard to the substance of your No. 40, January 26, 6 p.m. He said that his latest information from Spain indicated that Franco had again become extremely confident and that he himself did not now believe that any mediation might be successful.
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