Spain:   Internal situation
230/   3 /39
BRITISH KMBAS8Y,
January Slat* 1939.
No* 116.
My Lord,
/ I hare the honour with reference
transmit to you herewith the text of the
letter addressed to the "Rev York Times" by
Mr* Henry L* Stirasoh* the fomor secretary of
State, advocating the raising of the United
States Government's embargo on the export of
war material to Spain.
S. As stated in my telegram under reference*
there is no reason to suppose that the United states
authorities are likely to depart from their present
policy end despite the vigorous agitation from
Spanish Government sympathisers in this country,
the question of raising the embargo is likely
to remain an academic one.   There is naturally
strong opposition on the part of the influential
Catholic bodies to any modification of the embargo
and unbiassed opinion seems to -4e generally agreed
that, apart from the fact that to raise the embargo
at this stage would have little practical effect
on the situation in Spain* it would net be in the
to my telegram Ho. 49 of January 86th to
interests/
VALM: PKO /LCH,: GCP: PEHM ;
The Right Honourable
The Viscount Halifax* K* O..
etc.,
etc. *
etc*

¦
-8-
interests of this country to take any such
nation*
9* Recent ©rente la Spain have in fact
provided the "isolationists* with another
opportunity to emphasise the dangers of the
United States becoming entangled in Hatters
which do not primarily conoern them, senator
Reynolds* a Democratic member of the Foreign
Relations Committee took the occasion of a speech
la the Senate on January 85th by Senator Nye
la favour of lifting the Spanish embargo, to make
a long harangue on the text "America should attend
to the duties of America for Americans and keep
hands off the affairs of the outside world"» and
in the course of his remarks singled out Great
Britain for special criticism on account of its
habitual readiness to make use of the United
States to serve its own ends.
4* Very similar sentiments were expressed
on the following day in ths House of Representatives
when Mr* Hamilton Fish, a Republican, in a speech
opposing the raising of the Spanish embargo
declared, "If ths Presidsat or anyone else tries
to get us into a foreign war it Is our duty to
sss to it that he does aot succeed".
5. Finally Mr. Lippraan in an article - of
which a copy is enclosed herein - in the "New York
Tribune* of January 36th points out ths difficulty
for/
I
for America of reconciling a policy of
remaining at peace and of "seeing righteousness
prevail" throughout the world.   He argues that
the United States Government should oonoentrate
their Interest on the two areas which are of
prime concern to thorn - the Atlantic and the
Pacific •» and should not allow themselves to
become Involved In other parts of the world
where not vital American interest a are at stake*
Z have the honour to be.
with the highest respect.
My Lord.
Your Lordship*a most obedient,
humble servant»
•80D) V.A.L. MALL3T
H.M. Charge d*Affaires,