SPANISH EMBARGO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20052, 26 September 1939, Page 14

SPANISH EMBARGO

MATERIALS FOR WAR IRON ORE AND PYRITES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 26, 9a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 24. The Vigo correspondent ot the New York Times says that Spain is expected to decide in the near future whether to continue an informal embargo on the exports of war materials lo Britain and France.

The Spanish Ministry of Commerce is delaying permits for the export of iron ore, pyrites and most other exports until tile situation is cleared. The question principally interests Britain at present, since the blockade has cut Germano-Spanish communications. Franco-Spanish trade has been non-existent for the past two years. France and Britain were formerly heavy buyers of iron ore and pyrites. Both are needed for continuing the war.

General Franco’s only public statements were at the beginning of tiio war. when he appealed for localisation, enjoining on the Spaniards the strictest neutrality. The decision banning ships to trade with belligerents followed, delaying trade in iron, ore pyrites, Spain’s principal exports, and giving an indication of the lengths to which the Spanish Government is going to avoid being drawn into the war.