ATTITUDE TO SPAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 6 December 1940, Page 5

ATTITUDE TO SPAIN

TRADE FACILITATED BY BRITAIN WIDER PACT HOPED FOR [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, 4th December. “The Times,” in a leading article welcoming the Anglo-Spanish financial agreement, states: ‘lt is another proof of the British readiness to ease stringencies which the blockade imposes upon neutral countries wherever this can be done without relaxing the 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 the j Spaniards are in great want, though j only in quantities and on terms which I will ensure that none of them find their 'way to Germany or are used to build !up stocks which Germany might seize, j “Spain needs a long period of peace Ito heal the economic and social wounds |of the civil war, and Britain is ini terested in everything which conduces to prosperity and independence in the peninsula and to the promotion of friendly and confident relations. The agreement will be welcomed as removing, with all reasonable precautions, additional difficulties arising out of the blockade. “The agreement may be made into a pact covering much wider ground. Every such agreement would broaden the road leading to the discussion of any other questions outstanding be-! tween Britain d Spain, whether dur-| ing the war or after.”