PORTUGUESE PROPOSAL

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1940, Page 12

PORTUGUESE PROPOSAL

BLOC WITH SPAIN AND BRAZIL (Received December 5, 9.30 p.m.) LISBON, December 4. The press of Portugal in a chorus, is urging the desirability of a Portu-guese-Spanish-Brazilian bloc. The press is also suggesting that Spanish participation in the Portuguese Centenary is a proof of cordial relations, the paper adding: “When danger is near, we can combine for our common defence.”

Sale of Goods to Spain

BRITAIN'S FINANCIAL AGREEMENT. (Received December 5„ 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, December 4. “The Times” in a leading article, welcomes the British-Spanish financial agreement. It states: It is another proof of British readiness to ease the stringencies which the blockade imposes upon the neutral countries, wherever this can be done without relaxing pressure upon the enemy. The agreement is designed to facilitate the use of Spanish credits in this country for the importation of goods of which Spaniards are in great want, though only in quantities and on terms which ensure none of them will find their way to Germany, or be used to build up stocks which Germany might seize. Spain needs a long period of peace to heal the economic and social wounds of the Civil War. Britain is interested in everything which conduces to prosperity and independence in the peninsula, and to the promotion of friendly, confident relations. The agreement will be welcomed as removing, with all reasonable precautions, additional difficulties arising hut of the* blockade. The agreement may be made a pact covering much wider ground. Every such agreement would broaden the road leading to a discussion of any other questions outstanding between Britain and Spain, whether during the war, or after. A TANGIER INCIDENT RUGBY, December 4. Local representations have been made to the Spanish Ambassador at Tangier by the British Minister at Tangier, relating to a recent incident in which certain Italians removed or defaced notices and photographs exhibited outside of the British post office. It is understood at London that certain assurances were asked for and received, and that the defaced notices have been restored.