Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-01

The Foreign Minister to the
Embassy in Spain July III
Your telegram No. 229S
regarding the Duke Of Windsor
has Just been received. We have
received likewise a telegram
from the Minister in Lisbon
with the following content:
Lisbon No. 661 Of July IL.
Strictly confidential. AS Spani-
ards from among those around
the Duke of Windsor have in
formed US con1dentially on
visits to the Legation the des-
ignation of the Duke as Gov
ernor of the Bahama Islands
Is intended to keep him far
away from England. since his
return would bring with it very
strong encouragement to Eng
lish friends of peace, so that
his arrest at the instance Of his
opponents would certainly have
to be expected. The Duke in
tends to postpone his departure
for the Bahama Islands as long
as possible, at least until the
beginning Of August. in hope
of a turn of events favorable
to him. He is convinced that II
he had remained on the throne
war would have been avoided,
and he characterizes himself
as a firm supporter Of a peace
full arrangement with Ger
many. The Duke definitely be-
lieves that continued severe
bombings would make England
ready for peace. Huene." End
Of telegram from Lisbon.
We are especially interested
In having the Duke return to
Spain at all events. In our view
1t is of decisive importance for
the success of such q plan.
that our interest should in no
way become known. Therefore
it seems best for Spaniards to
undertake the affair.
Says Haste Is Necessary
While according to the tele-
gram from Lisbon, the Duke
will postpone his departure for
the Bahamas until August. we
are nevertheless convinced that
he is surrounded by English
agents, who will try to get him
away from Lisbon as soon as
possible, If necessary by force.
In our opinion haste is accord
ingly required.
We cannot tell exactly in
what way the Spanish may have
the opportunity. especially in
connection with the existing
liaison between the Spanish
Foreign Minister and the Duke
Of Windsor, of getting the Duke
without further ado back into
Spanish territory.
From here it would seem best
If close Spanish friends of the
Duke would privately invite
him, and of course his wife,
for a short one or two week
visit to Spain On pretexts
which would appear plausible
both to him, to the Portuguese,
and to the English agents. That
would mean, therefore. that the
Duke and Duchess. as well as
the English and the Portu-
guese. must believe that Wind
sor in any event is going to
come back here. II it does not
take place in that way there
Is the danger. according to ouI
information about the company
of the Duke, that the real rea-
son for the return Of the Duke
to Spain will become known
in England and that England
then would prevent 1t at all
costs.
For your personal informa-
ton I would add: After theii
return to Spain the Duke and
his wife must be persuaded oil
compelled to remain on Spanish
territory. For the event Of the
latter alternative we must
reach an agreement with the
Spanish Government to the
effect that by reason Of the
obligations Of neutrality the
Duke will be interned. since the
Duke as an English offlcer anc
a member Of the English ex.
peditionary force must bC
treated as a military fugitive
who has crossed the frontier
Assures Dukes Future
I would like TO have YOU
view of the attitude OF thu
Spanish Government and III
background. At any rate. at {
suitable occasion in Spain thu
Duke must be informed tina
Germany wants peace with tn,
English people. that the Churc'
hill clique stands in the way o.
1t, and that 1t would be a gooC
thing If the Duke would hole
himself in readiness for further
developments.
Germany is determined Il
force England to peace b!
every means Of power and upor
this happening would be pre-