OIL EMBARGO

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 126, 23 February 1944, Page 5

OIL EMBARGO

Continuation Against Spain OTHER SANCTIONS IF NECESSARY (Received February 22,11.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 22. The United States Government has decided to continue the oil embargo against Spain during March, says the “New York Times” Washington correspondent. It has also prepared a list of other economic sanctions should the oil embargo prove inadequate. Thus Washington, has demonstrated its intention of no longer tolerating General Franco’s help to Germany. Earlier it was London which was pressing for sterner action against Franco, while Washington was hesitating, but now the two Governments have reversed roles. Britain, it is reported, favours acceptance of the face-saving compromise offered by Franco, but Washington wants complete cessation of Spanish help to Germany. The Washington correspondent of the “Herald-Tribune” learns authoritatively that the United States Government is framing its foreign policy on oil in the Middle East and elsewhere designed to provide the sinews for an intensified war against Japan, to protect domestic reserves and ensure that American shipping and planes possess adequate oiling facilities on global routes without foreign interference. It is stated that the United States would welcome a working agreement with Britain for orderly drilling and marketing of the vast, proved, but comparatively undeveloped British and American reserves in the Middle East. The American Government does not desire to compete in the pil business with private firms, but wants to be as vigorous as Britain in assisting commercial firms to obtain, consolidate and develop foreign oil concessions. '