A RUPTURE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20277, 20 August 1937, Page 7

A RUPTURE.

RELATIONS SEVERED. PORTUGAL AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA. CONTRACTS NOT FULFILLED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Cory right, LONDON. August 18. The Portuguese Government lias severed diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia. According to the Lisbon correspondent of t lie Exchange Telegraph Company the reason for the break is the Czech Government’s alleged failure to fulfil contracts for the supply of arms to Portugal. THE PORTUGUESE VIEWPOINT. ALLEGATIONS OF UNFAIRNESS. INTERFERENCE OF THIRD PARTY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyriiUt. (Received August 20, 11 a.m.) LISBON, August 19. An official statement explaining tlie diplomatic severance says that Czechoslovakia at lirst claimed that the refusal to deliver arms was due to the Portugal attitude to Spain, and later claimed that it was due to her own re-armament requirements. Siie also expressed a desire to consult the other Powers. Portugal immediately saw that I lie Czech attitude was duo to a third party and tlie pressure from those interested in stopping the Portuguese re-armament. In view of Czechoslovakia's unfairness Portugal regretfully instructed her Minister to leave Prague. He went to Vienna yesterday after handing to Hie Hali.m .Minister the duties of safeguarding Portuguese interests. NO CONFLICT EXISTS. AN UNPRECEDENTED POSITION. A ONE SIDED RUPTURE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received August 20, 11 a.m.) PRAGUE. August 19. An official statement issued concerning the diplomatic rupture says: “ Portugal recently negotiated with Czechoslovakian ammunition works lor the supply of arms. Alter tlnding that, owing to previous engagements to supply tlie Czechoslovakian Army, the firm concerned was unable to deliver , the type of arms specified, Portugal was offered arms of a different type. Porlusal regarded Hie new offer as a refusal of the previous order and int -structoil her Minister to leave Prague. " We want to make it clear that no political or diplomatic conflict existed ? or exists between Czechoslovakia and - Portugal.” Jl is regarded as unprecedented in * tlie history of international relations that the failure of commercial negotius lions should lead to tlie formal onei sided rupture of diplomatic relations, DENIAL IN LONDON. 1 PRESSURE NOT BROUGHT. TYPICAL BASELESS PROPAGANDA. (Omclal Wlre’e,,.) (Received August 20, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, August 19. Any suggestion that Britain brought pressure to bear on Czechoslovakia to refuse to supply Portugal's contracts for machine-guns has been denied in London. * The latest official communique from Prague denies the Portuguese allegations that pressure was brought by a third Power. The suggestion is described as typical baseless propaganda n against Czechoslovakia by some circle h abroad, notably Germany, o Meanwhile ttie Czechoslovakian Minister has been instructed to res main in Lisbon until further notice, n indicating a hope of at* early settlee ment.