PORTUGAL’S LOYALTY APPRECIATED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 16, 14 October 1943, Page 5

PORTUGAL’S LOYALTY APPRECIATED

Material From British

LONDON, October 12. Sir. Churchill in his statement in the House of Commons said that the agreement 'between Britain and I ortugal on the use o£ the Azores arose out o£ the treaty signed in the year I<s id, a treaty that had been reinforced by a number o£ others since. He went on : ‘This engagement has lasted now for 600 years, and is without parallel in the world s history. I have now to announce the latest application of these instruments.” He recalled that at the outset ot the war the Portuguese Government, in full agreement with his 'Majesty’s, Government in the United Kingdom, adopted a policy of neutrality with a view to preventing the war spreading into the Iberian leninsula. The Portuguese Government had, however, frequently stated, that this policy was in no way inconsistent with the Anglo-Portuguese alliance, which was reaffirmed by the Portuguese Government in the early days of the war. Mr. Churchill went, on : “His Majesty s Government, on the basis of this ancient alliance, has now requested the. Portuguese Government to accord certain facilities in the Azores which will enable better protection to be provided for merchant shipping in the Atlantic. The Portuguese Government has agreed to. grant these requests. Arrangements which enter into force immediately have been concluded between the two Governments regarding, first, the conditions covering the use of these facilities by _his Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom .; and, second, British assistance in. furnishing essential material and supplies for the Portuguese armed forces and for . the maintenance of the Portuguese national economy.” Withdrawal After War. The Prime Minister said that the agreement concerning the Azores was only ternporary, in no way prejudicing the maintenance of Portuguese sovereignty. All the British forces would be withdrawn at the end of the war; nor would anything in the agreement affect the continued desire of the Portuguese Government with which the British Government had declared itself in sympathy, to continue its policy of neutrality on . the European mainland and thus maintain a zone of peace in the Iberian Peninsula. “In the view of his Majesty's Government” said Mr. Churchill, “this agreement should give new life and vigour to the alliance which has so long existed between the United Kingdom and Portugal to their mutual advantage.” On the conclusion of the negotiations, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, who hnd conducted them with the very greatest skill and patience, had exchanged most cordial messages witli the Portuguese President of tile Council, Dr. Salazar, who had’ said he wished and hoped that the facilities granted by Portugal to her ally would help to bring about greater'safety