BRITAIN AND PORTUGAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1938, Page 3

BRITAIN AND PORTUGAL

CLOSER MILITARY RELATIONS. [BY CADLE —PBEBB ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.J LONDON, July 15. Tho Lisbon correspondent of the Associated Press states that there are interesting developments in the relations between Britain and. Portugal directly bearing on the international situation. The British military, naval and air mission has been in Portugal for many weeks reorganising the forces. This has resulted' in Italy and Germany lately making a bold bid for Portuguese sympathies. It is thought that if General Franco is successful Portugal may be compelled to receive Italian troops, which would immediately challenge Britain’s specific obligations to Portugal and necessitate British intervention. Meanwhile the British mission is prolonging its stay and is reconsidering the whole situation. The Portuguese are pressing Britain, urgently to supply modern artillery and other weapons, failing which they will seek them from Germany. This is flattering to Britain and' equally embarrassing, because Britain requires all her own armaments. However, it is understood that Britain will arrange for a supply, since the success of the mission is largely dependent on it. Meanwhile, the Portuguese newspapers give great prominence to the, visit of two British warships’ to Angola, coinciding -with the visit of. the Prime Minister (Dr. Salazar). The “Sunday Times” says that in addition to the provision of military equipment from Britain, a number of Portuguese airmen are being trained in Britain and pilots have arrived to take over 20 machines, the first instalment of a substantial order which is being executed as quickly as circumstances permit.