PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

Grey River Argus, 23 November 1942, Page 1

PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

Reply to Britain [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, Nov. 20. The official replies to the British Notes concerning the status of Spam and Portugal have been received in London, according to a statement released by the Foreign Office. . The President of the Council in Portugal states that 'the Portuguese Government has noted the terms offered to his country and has expressed pleasure at the continued friendly relations between Great Britain and Portugal. The Spanish Government in its reply, said that it gratefully accepted the honourable terms offered by the British Government. Spaiifs Policy STRICTER NEUTRALITY. AMERICAN ACCOUNT. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 9.30) NEW YORK. Nov. 21. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says: It is authoritatively stated that Spain’s attitude is changing to one of stricter neutrality. This, it is expected, will be maintained, unless the Axis invades Spanish territory. Informed circles point out that some members of the Madrid Cabinet are now considered to be friendly t 0 the Allies. It is also significant that an increasing amount ol news from Allied sources is appearing in the Spanish press. . Spanish rulers, perhaps, have not quite concluded that the democracies will win. But they seem convinced the Allies will not lose the war. The correspondent continues: tn spite of German propaganda depicting Spain as mobilising against tne Allies? Washington officials believe that Spain fears an Axis invasion by way of the Yyrennes Mountains. Inis is borne-out by an official, in the Madrid broadcast, saving that Spains position resembles Turkey’s.