April 28, 1950
Memorandum
Subject: Planes for Spain
Prior to the Cabinet meeting this morning, Secretary Johnson spoke with me about the matter mentioned above. The Spanish Government, he said, wished to purchase some planes or engines for planes. These, he said, were for training purposes and were obsolete and the Military Establishment had no objection to the purchase. He said that the Military Establishment would object to Spain\'s purchasing planes for combat purposes.
I asked him whether this was a transaction in which Mr. Royall was interested. He said that it was. I told the Secretary that I was not familiar with the existing status of the matter but would look into it.
I mentioned that this means that Mr. Royall has been pressuring the Defense Establishment as he has been pressuring us.
Would someone please give me the present status of the matter and find out whether or not this information affects our attitude.
S DA:ma