FIRM ATTITUDE TO SPAIN

Southland Times, Issue 25279, 4 February 1944, Page 5

FIRM ATTITUDE TO SPAIN

Approval Voiced In

Britain

LONDON, February 2. The stiffened attitude towards Spain has met with approval here, and there are interested comments on the interview which the British Ambassador, Sir Samuel Hoare has had with General Franco, about which no details have been made known. It is considered, however, that Sir Samuel expressed the British Government’s strong view on a .whole series of complaints about the way Spain favours Germany. The Spanish radio’s announcement regarding restrictions of fuel consumption was the first intimation to the

Spanish public of the United States oil ban. The radio said: “If there is one thing Spain does not understand it is hypocrisy or double-dealing. Spain has never evaded her duties as a neutral. According to a Moscow message, the newspaper Red Star says: Spain is still helping Germany by sending to Germany supplies received'from the United States and Latin America, allowing Spanish shipping companies to supply tire Germans with convoy movements through Gibraltar, permitting the refuelling of U-boats by Spanish ships, supplying Germany with 40 per cent, of the Germans’ wolfram requirements and also quantities of iron, lead, copper and mercury. The Spanish Embassy in Germany, evacuated from Berlin because of the air raids, is temporarily closed and the consulate is handling its affairs, says Reuter’s Zurich correspondent. Following the departure of the Spanish Ambassador and his family, consular officials are also preparing to return to Spain. The fact that this journey follows on the heels of the Duke of Alba’s hasty departure from London is considered significant.