740.00116 E.W./9–1844: Telegram

The Ambassador in Portugal (Norweb) to the Secretary of State

2917. In anticipation of the departure for Portugal on leave of the Portuguese Ambassador at London, a plan now postponed by instructions of the Portuguese Foreign Office, the British Foreign Office, I am told by Campbell, spoke of war criminals to the Duke of Palmela45 who feels Portugal is lagging in this respect. The Department is aware that both Campbell and I have urged upon Salazar and Sampaio the importance of a public statement of policy such as that adopted in Sweden, Switzerland et cetera. While the Prime Minister will no doubt go a long way to spare Portugal the embarrassment which the unwanted arrival of fugitive enemy leaders would produce, Salazar is characteristically cautious of signing on the dotted line. (It would under the circumstances be counter-productive to use with him the arguments in the sixth paragraph of the Department’s 2317 of August 23, 7 p.m.)46

I am glad that the Department has spoken to Bianchi (ReDeptel 258 [2518] of September 14, 8 p.m.) and Downing Street to Palmela. I urge continuation of these efforts and offer the suggestion that the Brazilians might be asked to add their weight (if the present Brazilian situation permits).

Sent to Department, repeated to Madrid by courier; repeated to London as 445.

Norweb
  1. Portuguese Ambassador in the United Kingdom.
  2. See seventh paragraph of telegram 2905, August 23, midnight, to Bern, and footnote 2, p. 1410.