SPAIN’S METALS

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1942, Page 4

SPAIN’S METALS

MORE WELCOME For Britain neutrality strict towardsNAZIS. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable ASsn.J (Rec. 11.40.) LONDON. Feb. 23. Recently the aecision was taken oy. General Franco and Doctor Salazar (Prime Minister of Portugal) to maintain the neutrality of the Iberian Peninsula. This decision has been welcomed in London, particularly on economic grounds, says the “Daily Telegraphs diplomatic , correspondent. Spain, as '■ the result of the war in the Pacific, is now assuming greater importance as the source of copper and tin and lead. ' „ . The Rio Tinto mines in. Spain export considerably over half the country’s total output of copper pyrites to the United States. ' and tne remainder to Britain, after Stoanish requirements are satisfied. The Rio Tinto mines are owned by British interests. The latest figures for November, 1941, show 1 that the Americans received about 20,000 tons of Spain’s ore. The correspondent states: German penetration into Spanish business continues. Already there is German capital in nine hundred companies. German capital has complete control in several companies. These interests largely are those of shipbuilding, but they also include . iron, steel, chemicals, oil and motor- ■ cars. Recently, two German mis- , sions went to Spain to discuss the erection of plant to produce twenty- , three thousands tons of nitrogen yearly, and also one hundred and fifty thousand tons of sulphate of ammonia. Spain has, he adds, shown resistance to German penetration. Spain has even withheld licenses for the exporting of goods to Germany to the exact equivalent of the return. Spain also has shown strict compliance with commitments for Britain.