SPAIN’S REFUSAL

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1939, Page 8

SPAIN’S REFUSAL

TO JOIN AXIS Will Remain Neutral [Aus & N.Z. Cable Assn. I (Received June 21, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says: The Spanish Ambassador to France, Senor Lequerica, gave M. Bonnet (French Foreign Minister) an assurance- that a recent statement by General Kindelan, Chief of the Spanish Air Force, that if Italy were to be involved in war “none of the Spanish services, least of all the Air Force, will be able to remain impassive,” did not represent views of the Spanish Government. Senor Lequerica emphasised that Spain was in no way committed to the axis in any military sense. REPORTED ITALIAN INVITATION. (Received June 12, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. The Paris correspondent of the Exchange Agency says: Spain has officially informed France that, in the event of a European war, Spain proposes to remain neutral. It is understood that Spain has recently rejected an invitation from Italy'to join in a military alliance between Italy and Germany.