TUNES LAND IN SPlfflSß MEL

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 9

TUNES LAND IN SPlfflSß MEL

TO HELP REBELS.

Three Others Forced Down

On French Soil.

MACHINE-GUNS FOUND,

United Press Association.—Copyright,

(Received 2 p.m.)

LONDON, July 31

Three out of six Italian aeroplanes from Sardinia bound for Spanish Morocco made forced landings on French soil. One crashed 25 miles from Nemours, Algeria, and two airmen were killed and a third injured. Five machine-guns were found on board. The second machine landed near Oran and the third ilear the Moulouya River.

The gravest view is taken in Fiance of the movements, attended by fatal crashes, of the mysterious Italian aeroplanes. These 'planes, which were painted white, without marks of identification, contrary to the existing air convention, were intended for military purposes, being equipped with turrets for four machine-guns' and containing quantities of ammunition'.

It is believed that the fleet totalled 10 aeroplanes, supposedly bound from Sardinia for Melilla. Six men were aboard the one that was forced to land at the Moulouya River, on the French side of the Franco-Spanish frontier in Morocco. The men were not injured, and the machine not damaged. The authorities interned its occupants at Oudjda, French Morocco.

Another 'plane is reported to have come down at sea 50 miles from the Algerian coast.

The French Air Minister, General Denain, has arrived at Oudjda in order to investigate matters.

A third 'plane, which was forced to land, continued on its course.

The machine which crashed near Nemours and that which landed at Moulouya River were Savoia-Marchettis with Alfa-Romeo engines. Their occupants were Italian officers and suboflicers in civilian clothes.

The remainder of the 'planes apparently reached the rebel lines at Nador, near Melilla.

A message from Rabat announces the arrival of 14 foreign aeroplanes in Spanish Morocco.

The Spanish Government reports that the mysterious Italian aeroplanes, 20 of which are said to have reached Moroccan destinations, were purchased by a millionaire, Senor Juan March, who arrived at Perpignan in a British aeroplane. Loyalists allege he is helping to an insurrection.

A Rome message says an official inquiry has opened into the use of Italian 'planes in Morocco. It is stated that if it is established that the 'planes were Italian they must have been connected with private enterprise.

Spanish submarines stopped an Italian ship in the Straits of Gibraltar. The Government has protested to Madrid.

FORTY WARSHIPS.

British Naval Strength in Spanish Waters. I CAPITAL CITY QUIETER. British Official Wireless. (Received. 2 p.m.) RUGBY, July 31. There are now nearly 40 British warships in Spanish waters and at Gibraltar. Admiral Sir Dudley Pound is on his way from Malta to Gibraltar on the cruiser Galatea, while the battleship Queen Elizabeth is also expected there. Seven warships are at Barcelona, and the hospital ship Maine is proceeding there. Most of the foreign population of that port has been or is being evacuated.

-Madrid appears to be returning gradually to normal conditions. ' Shops are open, food is adequate, and the streets are crowded. Many Embassies are still harbouring refugees.

A Press message from Madrid to-day says 100 British and 50 American subjects left there by train last night for Valencia, where they will board a British warship. Another 100 are expected to leave to-day or to-morrow. In the uncertain situation it is clearly advisable that foreigners, wherever possible, should in their own interests leave Spain until her present troubles are over.

SOVIET'S SUPPORT.

FUNDS TO AID BATTLE. (Received 1.30 p.m.) s LONDON, July 31. The "Daily Mail" asserts that four Russian wireless stations are broadcasting nightly to Loyalists throughout Spain, promising funds In aid of a decisive battle for a Spanish Soviet Republic.