AZORES AGREEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1943, Page 4

AZORES AGREEMENT

MAY INVOLVE PORTUGAL IN WAR ANTICIPATION OF FURIOUS GERMAN OUTBURST SOME PRECAUTIONS TAKEN (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, October 12. Although the agreement between Portugal and* Britain granting Britain bases in the Azores does not affect Portugal’s neutrality, agency messages from Lisbon say Portugal has prepared for an immediate war emergency. The largest military manoeuvres since the last war began yesterday. Lisbon was blacked out again last night. Official statements which have been posted up in Lisbon emphasise the Government’s intention to preserve neutrality, but give a warning that Portugal’s dignity and interests may compel her to end it. Many observers believe that Portugal will soon enter the war on the side of the Allies. The Press Association says Portugal has shown remarkable courage in concluding the agreement, as Germany may be expected to indulge in a frenzy of vituperation against Portugal, if nothing more. The Axis has recently taken a keen interest in Portuguese affairs, particularly the present large-scale army manoeuvres. It is understood that Portugal's position in the Pacific did not enter into the Azores discussions. The Press Association naval writer says it can be assumed that Allied naval vessels have now reached the Azores and that forces have been put ashore. Until Mr Churchill, in the House of Commons, announced that Britain had been granted the use of air and naval bases in the Azores, no inkling of the negotiations had reached the outside world, says the Press Association. The negotiations progressed for several weeks in circumstances of extreme secrecy between the representatives of Britain and Portugal. Dr. Salazar announced that British troops have already disembarked at the Azores. He described the cession of bases to the Allies in similar terms to Mr Churchill’s speech. OF IMMENSE VALUE AIR AND NAVAL BASES. PROTECTION OF ATLANTIC CONVOYS (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, October 12. Bases in the Azores will be of immense strategical and tactical importance, not only in the prosecution of the Battle of the Atlantic, but in the protection of vital Allied shipping routes to North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East, in addition to the western entrance to the Mediterranean. Reuter's naval correspondent says the British use of air and naval bases in the Azores completes the Allied “encirclement” of the North Atlantic. The Azores, lying between Portugal and America, form the last link in a chain of bases enclosing the vital convoy routes between North America and Europe. The fact that the Azores lie 1700 miles from Halifax, and about 1400 miles from Britain, is of tremendous significance in the U-boat war. The Coastal Command’s long-range Liberators and Sunderlands—there is already in the Azores a fine flying-boat base which trans-Atlantic planes used before the outbreak of war —can take such a distance in their stride, while the tactical advantages of the Azores as a refuelling store and depot for warships cannot be over-emphasised. Until our small aircraft-carriers went into action the mid-Atlantic gap in the Allied air coverage was the most dangerous area of the whole ocean. German reconnaissance planes, based on Western France, could range at will, spotting for the Üboat packs, which attacked confident that there would be no interference from the air. Even when the “Woolworth” carriers joined the convoys, pilots were unable to provide the thorough cover available from shore-based planes. Now, when a new surge in the intensity of U-boat warfare has begun, heavy, four-engined planes, equipped with quantities of depth charges and powerful cannon that can split the skin of‘most underwater craft, will be able to give strong protection to war supplies pouring into Britain from the arsenal of democracy. Another advantage deriving to us will be that it is a far more reliable route for our transAtlantic air ferries during the winter. Also it will enable Allied convoys to take a far more southerly course in winter time. This means that not only will the route be more direct and ships take less time to cross the Atlantic, but also dangers from ice and fog will be greatly reduced. BRITISH APPRECIATION OF PORTUGUESE LOYALTY EXPRESSED BY MR CHURCHILL (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) RUGBY, October 12. In the House of Commons Mr Churchill said Dr Salazar, the Portuguese Prime Minister, had stated that he wished and hoped that the facilities granted by Portugal to her ally wmuld help to bring about greater safety for shipping in the Atlantic and trusted i that this new proof of Portuguese loyalty to her traditions would fortify the I secular alliance and serve to draw still closer the bonds of friendship uniting the two peoples. Amid the cheers of the House, Mr Churchill concluded: “I take this opportunity of placing on record the appreciation of his Majesty’s Government, which I have no doubt is shared by Parliament and the British nation, of the attitude of the Portuguese Government, whose loyalty to their British ally never wavered in the darkest days of the war.”