BRITAIN AND SPAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 203, 28 August 1943, Page 5

BRITAIN AND SPAIN

TWO-POINT AGREEMENT Recd. 10.40 p.m. Madrid, Aug. 27. Official circles say the meeting between Sir Samuel Hoare and General Franco resulted in a two-point agreement. Firstly. Britain has given assurances regarding the independence and integrity of Spanish _ territory, Spanish colonies and Spanish protectorates. Secondly, there would be no pressure on the Spanish Government’s liberty of action. force to withdraw to more favourable defensive positions. Other Allied land forces gradually tightening the net around Salamaua report less opposition. The airfield is heavily pock-marked with shell and bomb craters following the Allied aerial and artillery bomoardments. This week was the anniversary the Japanese attack on Milne Bay, New Guinea, where the enemy sustained his first land defeat of the Pacific war. The Japanese came perilously close to success before they were muted by Australian troops, supported by R.A.A.F. units. They wanted Milne Bay as a sea and air base for their advance against Port Moresby from the soutn, or alternately to use jt for operations against the eastern coast of Australia. To-day, apart from a military cemetery and a lew’ enemy barges rotting in the bay, there is little sign at Milne Bay of the battle which marked the first stemming of the Japanese tide in the Pacific.