EMBROILING SPAIN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 126, 29 April 1941, Page 6

EMBROILING SPAIN

\XIS INTRIGUE GROWS. (Rec. 2- p.m.) LONDON, April 28. Reports from Lisbon state that Senor Suner (Spanish Foreign Minister) is finalising preparations to declare Spain is openly on the side of the Axis. It is believed Spain will then join issue with Britain, either alleging the blockade is responsible for Spanish starvation or demanding the return of Gibraltar. When this is refused Spain is expected to attack Gibraltar with German assistance. This plan is believed to have been accepted in principle, with its timing the only consideration. The News-Chronicle's Lisbon correspondent states that the American Minister (Mr Weddell) warned Seuor Suner that the United. States would regard Spanish belligerency with the deepest disapproval and would take the necessary 6teps, including the possible despatch of warships to African -waters. Madrid reports that the report of Mr Churchill's broadcast appeared on the front page of the "official Spanish weekly." Reference to the possibility of "the war spreading to Spain and Morocco was omitted. The remainder of the Spanish Press is bound to follow the example.