MORE TRAITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 229, 27 September 1937, Page 7

MORE TRAITORS.

TO HAND OVER MADRID

Alleged Plan Frustrated by

Arrest of Plotters.

FOREIGNERS IMPLICATED

United Press Association. —Copyright

(Received I.UO p.m.) MADRID, September 26. One hundred and sixty members of the so-called "Fifth Column," who are alleged to have been preparing a Fascist plot in Madrid, have been arrested. General Miaja asserts that 5000 were connected with tiie plot. Among the arrested are 18 women, army officers and officials. The conspirators, he states, aimed at organising a body from refugees in Embassies who, with subverted police and troops, would hand over Madrid to General Franco.

The plotters used calendar leaves as a code and concealed the identity of the conspirators by use of dates as* names. The Chilian and Argentine Embassies repudiate the charges.

According to a Government communique the arrested men include Senor Aragay, an employee of the Argentine Embassy, and a Chilian, Manuel Suria.

The "Fifth Column," mentioned by the New Zealand journalist, (icoffrev ' Cox, in "The Defence of Madrid," is an elaborate espionage system set up by General Franco about a year ago.

NAVY DESERTERS.

Spanish Sailors and Officers In

English Port.

DON'T LIKE COMMANDER

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON', September 20

Following the example of 00 members of the crew who deserted from the vessel after she limped into Falmouth after being damaged in an air raid, 12 more, including officers, left the Spanish destroyer, Jose Luis Diez. Some voluntarily surrendered at Falmouth police station, and others were arrested sleeping in woods.

All declared that they disliked the new commander and woro tired of war. They were willing to go anywhere but to .Spain, where they had to" fight their brothers.

The police escorted them to Exeter prison to join the previous deserters.

The destroyer subsequently left Fal mouth to return to Spain.