"DECISIVE STAGE"

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 72, 21 September 1940, Page 12

"DECISIVE STAGE"

TALKS NECESSARY

THE REWARD FOR SPAIN

(Received September 21, 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 20. Yon Ribbentrop, after telephoning Hitler and having another talk with Mussolini and Ciano, announced that he had concluded his Italian visit and \ would return to Berlin tomorrow, after which he would again confer with the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Senor Suner, regarding Spain's co-operation with the Axis. Today's talks in Rome are the subject of varying interpretations, but informed circles in Italy and Germany agree that conferences are essential because a "decisive stage of the war" has been reached with the bombardment of London and the invasion of Egypt. Apparently clarification of the interests of the Axis Powers in Africa is one of the most important aspects of the talks, including the price to be paid for Spain's immediate entry to the war.

German circles declared that the elimination of Britain from Africa would follow the liberation of Egypt, which would remain independent if it does not. fight against the Axis.

Senor Suner has apparently been told bluntly that the extent of Spain's territorial reward in respect of Gibraltar and Morocco will be governed by the degree and urgency of Spanish co-operation.