"A BOMBSHELL!"

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 30 August 1926, Page 7

"A BOMBSHELL!"

SPAIN AND TANGIER. A DIFFICULT SITUATION. LONDON, August 29. The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that Spain's request for the administration of Tangier has flung a bombshell among the Powers. The Note Spain sent to Britain, France and Italy included an invitation to a conference upon the whole Tangier question which, it is suggested, should be held at Geneva on September 1, namely, on the eve of the meeting of the Council of the League of Nations. This invitation was extended also to all the Powers, including the minor States, who signed the Tangier Convention and the Act of Algeciras—which is even more surprising. The replies of Italy and France which seem to have been dispatched with unusual haste will largely define Britain's attitude. Copies of these are expected in London immediately. It is known that neither the annexation of Tangier by Spain nor a mandate would be acceptable to France, though she would be willing to make substantial administrative concessions. The nature of Italy's reply is unknown. AN EXTRANEOUS MATTER. London oilicial circles confirm the fact that Spain has suggested a conference at Geneva to consider the Spanish claim to j. angler. It is understood that Britain will reply as early as possible. At present there is a disinclination to discuss the terms of the reply, but the general impression is that no useful purpose would be served by the proposed conference at such short notice, but that it should be postponed" until after the meeting of the Council of the League, the primary object of which is to arrange for Germany's admittance to the League. It is considered that no extraneous issues should be permitted to interfere with that object.

France is expected to support Britain, but the Paris correspondent of the "Observer" says the utmost France and Britain are willing to consider is a modification of the present situation in Tangier by which France would be given the greater part of the administration. Even this solution, however, is hindered by the provisions of the treaty. Signor Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy, has replied to Spain, stating that Geneva is an unsuitable place at which to discuss the Tangier nuestion. He suggests that it should be dealt with at a special conference to be held elsewhere, says the "Sunday Express."—(A and N.Z.) A DISCREDITED STORY. KING AND DE RIVERA. GIBRALTAR, August 20. Local circles discredit the report that the King of Spain was petitioned by an artillery corps to dismiss the Prime Minister and that De Rivera issued a decree abolishing the corps, which decree the King refused to sign.,—(A. and N.Z.) ITALY'S ANSWER. MATTER FOR CONFERENCE. ROME, August 29. Italy's reply to the Spanish Note assures Spain of a desire to meet all just demands by Spain, and suggests that a conference of all the Powers concerned should consider the Tangiers problem. It is inferred from this that Italy is not willing that the matter should be submitted to the League of Nations. — SENSATIONAL ESCAPE A WHOLESALE EXODUS. AMERICAN GAOL INCIDENT. NEW YORK, August 29. Overpowering the warders on night dut-" and locking them in cells, 24 prisoners escaped from the State Reformatory at lona, Michigan, and drove off in two of the prison motor cars. Several of the men wore uniforms of which they had stripped the warders. After the party got well away, three other cars were stolen and the escapees split into five sections. Later, two of the cars were found abandoned. Two warders heard a disturbance prior to the escape, and when they went to investigate they were held at the revolver point by the prisoners, who captured the whole night staff in twos and threes. — (A. and N.Z.)