BRITAIN & PORTUGAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1939, Page 5

BRITAIN & PORTUGAL

MUTUAL ASSURANCES OF AMITY. . DR SALAZAR’S SATISFACTION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 29. The Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, today received from the Prime Minister of Portugal, Dr Salazar, a reply to the personal message which Mr Chamberlain sent him last week regarding his declaration a week ago on Portugal’s relations with Britain. Dr Salazar says: “It gives great satisfaction to me and my country that his Majesty’s Government and the British people have seen in my words to the Assembly new proof of the feelings of Portugal and of her Government for their ally and of our desire to contribute to world peace.” Dr Salazar at the same time acknowledges the statement made "in the House of Commons on Friday in the same connection.

In a speech in the Portuguese National Assembly on May 23, Dr Salazar stressed Portugal’s firm adherence to the Anglo-Portuguese alliance. Mr Chamberlain on Friday sent a personal message to Dr Salazar, stating, in part: “I have read with the liveliest satisfaction your Excellency’s declaration on the subject of the ancient alliance which unites our two countries, and I wish to thank your Excellency for this clear and unequivocal statement of Portguese policy.” In the House of Commons on Friday, the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr R. A. Butler, commented: “Britain for its part, unhesitatingly its determination to fulfil its obligations under this alliance, which will continue to be a potent instrument in the service of world peace.”

Such of the cable news on this page as is so headed has appeared in "The Times," and is cabled to Australia and New Zealand by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not those of “The Times" unless expressly stated to be so.