NEUTRAL COUNTRIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 15 April 1944, Page 5

NEUTRAL COUNTRIES

VIGOROUS ALLIED PROTESTS , INTERFERENCE WITH WAR OX AXIS | EXPORT OF MATERIALS TO GERMANY London, April 14. British and American diplomats have made vigorous protests to two leading neutral countries following Mr Cordell Hull’s warning that the United Nations would not tolerate interference from neutrals with the war against the Axis. The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph” says the British Ambassador in Turkey, Sir H. Knatchbull-Hughesson. presented a strong protest to the Turkish Government against the continued export of chrome to Germany. A report from Instanbul says a demand has been made that Turkey end all trade relations with the Axis. This is not able to be confirmed in I.ondon but authoritative quarters agreed that it might be the next step if Turkey does not comply with Allied requirements. The Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says a joint British and American note handed to the Swedish Government contained an interpretation of Mr Hull’s speech with reference to neutrals’ exports of raw materials to Germany. Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent says the British and American Governments’ Note expressing views on Sweden’s export to Germany has reached the Swedish Government. The Swedish Foreign Office spokesman, speaking generally on Mr Hull’s declaration, said: “We are quite ready to see the Allies' viewpoint, but have made an agreement which cannot be radically changed without going back on our word.” He added that Mr Hull’s warning to neutrals to break relations with Germany came as a surprise blast, but Sweden intends to fulfil her commercial agreement with Germany for the present. TIN FROM SPAIN The political correspondent of the “Daily Express” says Sir Samuel Hoare, British Ambassador in Madrid, protested against the Spanish seizure of oil belonging to British and American oil companies following the British and American ban on the import of oil to Spain. Reuter’s Lisbon correspondent says a large German trade mission has arrived to buy tin, also sardines and wolfram. Germany offers in return steel and a variety of machine tools. Reuter’s Istanbul correspondent says a German trade delegation is expected on 29th April to negotiate a renewal of the Turkish German trade pact expiring in May. The German news agency says it is reported from Bucharest that Turkey has signed a new barter agreement with Rumania. A delegation of the Rumanian State railways returned after spending three weeks in the Turkish capital. The delegation, it is stated, purchased copper for the maintenance of locomotives in return for oil products.