WINNING SPAIN OVER

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13325, 30 April 1941, Page 5

WINNING SPAIN OVER

AXIS EFFORTS REPORTS FROM LISBON THREAT TO GIBRALTAR London, April 28 Lisbon reports state that Senor Suner ,the Spanish Foreign Minister, is finalising preparations to declare Spain openly on the side of the Avis It is believed that Spain will then join issue with Britain, either alleging that the blockade is responsible for Spanish starvation or demanding the return of Gibraltar.

When this is refused Spain is-ex-pected to attack Gibraltar with German assistance. This plan, it is believed, has been accepted in principle with its timing the only consideration.

The News Chronicle correspondent at Lisbon states that Mr A. W. Weddell, American Ambassador! warned Senor Suner that the United States would regard Spanish belligerency with the deepest disapproval and would take the necessary steps, including the possible dispatch of warships to African waters. A Madrid message says that Mr Churchill's broadcast is displayed on the front page of the "Official Spanish Weekly." The reference to the possibility of war spreading to Spain and Morocco is omitted. The remainder of the Spanish Press is bound to follow this example. Pressure on Spain Jbu'uuLiu,

Germany is now uruigiu,s economic pressure on Spain in an attempt to compel uei consent to a policy Ut iun Bays tne i-,isoon corr'esppiiueut of the jJaiiy leiegrapn. Tne latest move is refusal 10 permit tne transport across unoccupied prance or. an important consignment from a central European country. I'his consignment was bought ana paia for by Spam, and its delivery is vital to the economic lite of Spain. It is the first time Hitler has used blockade as a weapon against Spain.