SPANISH ACTION FEARED

Southland Times, Issue 24422, 30 April 1941, Page 5

SPANISH ACTION FEARED

PORTUGUESE REPORTS AMERICAN WARNING TO SENOR SUNER

(Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 28. Lisbon reports state that the Spanish Foreign Minister (Senor Ramon Serrano Suner) is completing preparations to declare Spain openly on the side of the Axis. It'is believed that Spain will then join issue with Britain, either alleging that 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 Lisbon correspondent of the News Chronicle states that the American Ambassador, Mr Alexander Weddell, warned Senor Serrano Suner that the United States would regard Spanish belligerency with the deepest disapproval and take the necessary steps, including the. possible despatch of warships to African waters.

Mr Winston Churchill’s broadcast was printed on the front page of the official Spanish weekly newspaper. The reference to the possibility of the waispreading to Spain and Morocco is omitted. The remainder of the Spanish Press is bound to follow.