VEIL DROPPED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 7

VEIL DROPPED.

ITALIANS IN SPAIN. Rome Newspapers Openly Record Successes. GUNS FROM FRANCE? United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 17. The newspapers in Rome have dropped all pretence of non-interven-tion in Spain and openly state that Italian troops have occupied Alcoriza, on the Aragon front. The Italian Press also announces that Italian 'planes bombed Government troops, says a message from Rome. The Perpignan correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says lines of 10-wheeled motor lorries, closely covered with tarpaulins and nearly all containing munitions and guns, can be seen on the roads leading from France to Spain. Their passage does not technically infringe the non-intervention provisions as all are supposed to be in transit from other countries.

An enormous number arrived from Russia in neutral ships. Frontier Not Opened. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says official denials that the French Pyrenees frontier has been unobtrusively opened to war supplies are borne out by observers, who record that there is merely the customary trickle of contraband. The Barcelona correspondent of "The Times" says the Nationalist advance has slowed down in the last 24 hours in Aragon. Both sides admit tierce fighting in the (_'aspe and Montalbau areas, indicating more vigorous Republican resistance. The latest Government statement tells of almost superhuman resistance in the face of artillery and air attacks by the insurgent forces. Veterans Stand Firm. The Barcelona correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says veteran troops sent from Madrid to resist General Franco's sweep toward the sea were responsible for the stronger resistance. Units of the international brigade are hastening to Aragon. Although the insurgent attacks were repulsed yesterday there is urgent need for further efforts to prevent Republican Spain from being cut in halves. Catalonia is also sending guns and reserve divisions. Nationalist Claims. The Catalan Government declares the battle is still beyond the Catalan frontier in spite of General Franco's effort, made with the aid of huge foreign contingents. A dispatch from Saragossa claims that the Nationalists, throughout the Aragon offensive, have taken over 10,000 prisoners, nine batteries of artillery, over 1000 motor cars, 2000 machine-guns and 23 tanks, and have brought down 21 aeroplanes.

A report from Perpignan says the Franco-Spanish frontier has l>een closed 011 the Spanish side, near Perpignau. A message from Burgos states that General Franco claims completely to have occupied Caspe and also declares that he is within three miles of the Mediterranean. CHANGE OF OPINION. DENIED BY OPPOSITION. LONDON, March 17. A scene occurred in the House of Commons when the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, recalling that Mr. Arthur Greenwood had said the Opposition had never asked that Britain should go into Spain, commented that this was a complete change from the position which had been taken up. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Attlee. challenged Sir John Simon and demanded evidence that the Opposition had ever suggested that Britain should go into Spain. Sir John Simon said it was obvious that opposition to the policy of nonintervention meant a policy of intervening. Mr. Attlee concluded his speech by giving the Government what he described as a warning. He said it was seeking the help of the workers in rearmament. It could not go before them if it betrayed them. The British people would not stand by a craven Government.