Letter

              Foreign Office, 
S.W.1.
8th January, 1940.
Dear Sir Walter,
Thank you very much for your letter of the 3rd January, drawing my attention to the case of Ricardo Zabalza and of the Trade Union leaders and social-democrats generally in Spain.
I am writing to our Ambassador in Madrid asking him once more to do anything he can on behalf of these people. I must, however, tell you frankly that I am not optimistic as to the result. General Franco, in his broadcast speech of the 31st December, said that "no amnesty could be granted "in Spain until the assassinations of the civil war have "been expiated", although it is true that he went on to promise measures to ensure that justice should be calm and even generous.
The Spanish Government are fully aware of the fact that we disapprove of these savage methods of repression,
but
Sir Walter Citrine, K.B.E.