A BLOCKADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 43, 30 November 1937, Page 5

A BLOCKADE

ANNOUNCED BY INSURGENTS. NOT RECOGNISED BY BRITAIN. EXPLANATION DEMANDED. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Dav, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON,' November 29. The British Government lias instructed the commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Fleet to demand from Admiral Moreno (chief insurgent naval officer at Palma) an explanation of broadcasts from Cadiz and Salamanca announcing that the insurgents were instituting a blockade of the SpanishGovernment coast and would attack any shipping entering Government ports. Admiral Moreno is being informed that Britain does not recognise General Franco’s right to blockade as belligerent rights have not been granted nor can there he any question of attack even in territorial waters. In addition the Foreign Office, which acted immediately when it picked up the broadcasts, has advised all British shipping that it could expect normal protection. NO CHANGE INTENDED. BRITISH DIPLOMATIC SERVICE. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, November 29 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Viscount Cranborne) stated in the House of Commons that Britain did not at present contemplate any change in diplomatic representation of Britain in ’Spain as a .result of the promotion of the Charge d’Affaires at Barcelona to be Minister Plenipotentiary.—British Official Wireless. FRENCH STEAMER ATTACKED. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) PARIS, November 29. A message from Marseilles states that the French freighter Lezardrieux radioed that she was attacked by a ’plane 15 miles from Cape Crueus, but not hit. THE FINAL BIG DRIVE. INSURGENTS PREPARING. CO-OPERATION BY THE FLEET. GIBRALTAR, November 17. The rebels Are preparing what they hope will be the beginning of the final blow against the Spanish Government. Twenty thousand troops are massing on the Almeria front, most of them coming from Cadiz, where they have been resting since the conclusion of the northern campaign. They will be joined also by hundreds of recruits, who have been training under German officers, near Gibraltar. Zero hour is believed to be approaching for the drive on Almeria, which General Franco expects to fall quickly. This will be followed by more serious operations against Alicante- and Cartagena. The rebel fleet is expected to co-oper-ate in the push along the coast, and will challenge the Government forces, first at Alicante, and then at Cartagena, which is the Governments most important naval base. The rebels believe that the conquest of Valencia province will end the war, as the industrious and peaceful Catalonians are expected to surrender when faced with the destruction of their factories and towns.