PORTUGAL’S NEEDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 July 1938, Page 5

PORTUGAL’S NEEDS

BRITAIN ASKED TO SUPPLY ARMS NEED OF COUNTERING FASCIST BID. POSSIBLE REPERCUSSIONS FROM SPAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. LONDON, July 16. The diplomatic correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says that interesting developments in respect to Anglo-Portuguese relations have a direct bearing on the international situation. A British military, naval, and air mission which has been in Portugal for many weeks reorganising the Portuguese forces has resulted in the Italians and Germans lately making a bold bid for. Portuguese sympathies. It is thought that if General Franco is successful in the Spanish civil war, Portugal may be compelled to receive Italian and German troops, which would immediately challenge Britain’s specific obligations to Portugal and necessitate British intervention. Meanwhile the British mission is prolonging its stay and is reconsidering the whole situation.

The Portuguese are pressing Britain urgently to supply modern artillery and other weapons, failing which they will seek them from Germany. This is flattering to Britain but equally embarrassing because Britain requires all her own armaments. However, it is understood that Britain will arrange to supply what is wanted, since the success of the mission is largely dependent upon it. The “Sunday Times” says that, in addition to military equipment, a number of Portuguese airmen are being trained in Britain and pilots have arrived to take over 20 machines, the first instalment of a substantial order which is being executed as quickly as circumstances permit. Meanwhile ■ the Portuguese newspapers are giving great prominence to the visit of two British warships to Angola, coinciding with a visit by Dr Antonio Salazar, the Portuguese Prime Minister.