UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 12

UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS

REPUDIATED BY SPANISH GOVERNMENT (British Official Wireless.)* RUGBY, August 16. (Received August 17, at 11 a.m.) A leading article in the Spanish newspaper, ‘ Ariba,’ on August 13, accused Britain of holding wheat and oil supplies for Spain and then by implication insinuated the wholly unfounded allegation that British agents were responsible for the fire at the Campsa oil depot at Aliciante. From the way the incident has been exploited it may well have been the work of German, agents provocateurs. In the meanwhile, in reply to representations from the British Ambassador in Madrid the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs has given Sir Samuel Hoare a categorical repudiation of the charge insinuated in the newspaper. The Minister stated that the Spanish Government neither had accused, nor did accuse, the British Government of participation in, or knowledge of, the attempt which was made against the Campsa deposits at Aliciante. As regards wheat, the position is that during the time of the greatest scarcity, between April and July, the 'British Government, by special arrangement with the Spanish Government, facilitated the speedy arrival in Spanish' ports of 34 ships carrying wheat. As for oil, a British expert from London is now in Madrid carrying on a discussion with the Spanish authorities with a view to assuring adequate supplies of oil and lubricants for Spain.