WARM APPROVAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 123, 27 May 1939, Page 9

WARM APPROVAL

PORTUGUESE POLICY

ALLIANCE WITH BRITAIN

CLOSE TIES

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received May 27, 11.30 a.m.)

RUGBY, May 26.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, has sent the following personal message to Dr. Salazar, Prime Minister of Portugal:—

"I have read with the liveliest satisfaction your Excellency's declaration in the National Assembly on May 22 on tha subject of the ancient alliance which unites our two countries, and I wish to thank your Excellency for this clear and unequivocal statement of Portuguese policy, which has been received with the warmest approval in this, country and cannot but form a valuable contribution to the cause of world peace. "The sentiments expressed by your Excellency are heartily reciprocated in this country, and the British Government hopes to have an early opportunity of making public acknowledgment of your Excellency's declaration.'* In the House of Commons today the matter was raised in a question addressed to the Foreign Under-Secre-tary (Mr. R. A. Butler) who, after referring to Mr. Chamberlain's message, added: — "Britain, for its part, unhesitatingly reaffirms its determination to fulfil its obligatipns under this alliance, which will continue to be a potent instrument in the service of world peace. The ties which unite our two countries as Atlantic and colonial Powers have always been close, and it is Britain's sincere" wish that they may long remain so. I would lib^e- to take this opportunity, in view of apprehensions which apparently continue to exist, of reaffirming the statement made by the then Foreign Secretary on December 21, 1937, that as far as Britain is concerned certain pre-war proposals in regard to Portuguese colonial territory are dead and we have not the least intention of trying to revive them."

In a speech in the Portuguese National Assembly on May 23, Dr. Salazar stressed Portugal's firm adherence to the Anglo-Portuguese alliance. "I know I am speaking in the name of my country," he added, "when I say we are determined to fulfil faithfully our obligations under the alliance." Mr. Anthony Eden, winding up a debate on foreign affairs on December 21, 1937, repudiated absolutely any intention by Britain to "make a deal" in colonies at the expense of other Powers.