DIPLOMATIC BREACH.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20278, 21 August 1937, Page 7

DIPLOMATIC BREACH.

PORTUGAL AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA. GREAT REGRET IN BRITAIN. HOPE OF SPEEDY SETTLEMENT. (Omcial Wireless.) (Received Aug. 21, 1 pm.) RUGBY. Aug. 20. The diplomatic breach between Portugal and Czechoslovakia is viewed here with much regret, and the newspapers express the hope that it may speedily be repaired. The Daily Telegraph says there ts no reason to doubt the genuine desire of Portugal to purchase ir. Czechoslovakia Bren light machine guns, over which the dispute occurred While Britain is manufacturing sufficient Bren guns for her own requirements under license. Portugal, like othci countries which lack arms factories, must fulfil her needs abroad, and her most obvious source, Britain, is too busy to supply her. But there is equally no reason to doubt the good faith of the Czechoslovakian Government, busy with Its own re-armament scheme, In refusing to accept further orders. If the suspicion that Portugal really Intends the weapons for export to General Franco has entered Into this matter, It may be stated at once that Britain does not share this suspicion. On the other hand, Czechoslovakia may well feel that she cannot he too careful In fulfilling her obligations of nonintervention at a time when the British patrol of the Portuguese frontier Is suspended. _______