LEASE OF BASE TO U.S.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25365, 12 December 1947, Page 7

LEASE OF BASE TO U.S.

AGREEMENT SIGNED BY PANAMA MINISTER RESIGNS AS PROTEST (Rec. 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. The United States and Panama have, signed an agreement for the leasing of an air base and 13 defence sites to the United States for the defence of the Panama Canal. The agreement is subject to approval by the Panama National Assembly, which is to meet on December 12. After the joint announcement of the agreement, the Panamanian Foreign Minister (Mr Ricardo Alfaro) resigned, and the National Institute of Students went on strike as a protest. Mr Alfaro, in his letter of resignation, said he considered that the United States had made “unjustified demands” regarding the terms for the occupancy of the air base.

Inquiry about Food Parcel.—The Marquess of Reading asked in the House of Lords to-aay whether inquiries could be made into the case of Australians who had sent a food parcel to relatives in Britain and received a letter of thanks from a German in Germany. Lorfi Chorley, for the Government, said that he would be glad to have such an interesting case examined.—London, December 9.

Arrests in Warsaw.— Polish police have arrested Countess Janina Czarnecka, a Polish interpreter at the Swedish legation, and Mrs Helena Abamowicz, a Pole employed by the Belgian Legation.—Warsaw, December 9.