RELATIONS SEVERED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 223, 20 August 1937, Page 7

RELATIONS SEVERED

PORTUGUESE AND CZECHS. ARMS SUPPLY TROUBLE. UNUSUAL SITUATION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received August 20c 10.15 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 19. The Portuguese Government has severed diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia, according to the Exchange Telegraph Company correspondent at Lisbon. The reason for the break is the Czech Government’s alleged failure to fulfil contracts for the supply of arms to Portugal. An official statement that has been issued in Prague concerning the diplomatic rupture says: ‘ ‘Portugal recently negotiated with a Czechoslovak ammunition works for a supply of arms. Alter finding that, owing to previous engagements to supply tne Czechoslovaiiian Army, the nrm concerned was unable to deliver the type of arms specified, Portugal was offered arms of a different type. Portugal regarded the new offer as a refusal of tne previous order and instructed her. Minister to leave Prague. “■We want to make it clear that no political or diplomatic conflict has existed or exists between Czechoslovakia and Portugal. It is regarded as unprecedented: in the history of international relations that the failure oi commercial negotiations should lead to a formal, one-sided rupture of diplomatic relations.” An official statement from Lisbon explaining the diplomatic severance says: “Czechoslovakia first claimed that the arms refusal was due to Portugal’s ■ attitude to Spain and later claimed that it was due to her own rearmament requirements and also expressed a desire to consult other l s ®"' ers. Portugal immediately 6aw that the Czech attitude was due to third party pressure from those interested in stopping Portuguese rearmament. “In view of Czechoslovakia’s unfairness, Portugal regretfully instructed her Minister to leave Prague. He went to Vienna yesterday alter handing to the Italian Minister the duties of safeguarding Portuguese interests.”

BRITISH DENIAL

HAS BROUGHT NO PRESSURE.

Received August 20, 11.55 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 19. Any suggestion that Britain brought pressure to bear on Czechoslovakia not to’ supply Portugal’s contracts for ma-chine-guns is denied in London. The latest official statement from Prague denies the Portuguese allegations that pressure was brought by a third Power. The suggestion is described as typical of the baseless propaganda against Czechoslovakia by 6ome circles abroad, notably Germany. Meanwhile, the Czechoslovakian Minister has been instructed to remain at Lisbon until further notice, indicating the hope of an early settlement.