NEW MENACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 126, 31 May 1938, Page 7

NEW MENACE.

DANGER TO BRITAIN.

German Bases and 'Dromes in

Basque Country.

REPORTED ACTIVITY.

LONDON, May 25.

German experts are alleged to be constructing, in north-western rebel Spain, military aerodromes and naval bases which may be a potential menace to France and Britain.

A statement, giving details of the alleged works, was presented to the Spanish Embassy in London by a delegation from the conquered Basques^

Fully-equipped aerodromes are being constructed under the supervision of German technicians in the Basque country, as well as along hundreds of miles of the present war fronts, the delegation declared.

"Easy Striking Distance."

Many of them are within easy striking distance of France. German experts are also preparing a naval base at Pasajes, on the Biscay coast, 17 miles from the French border, only 350 miles from Brest and 542 from Portsmouth.

The statement named 18 towns and villages where Germans are declared to be active in the construction of aero-1 dromes. It made particular mention of an elaborate system of underground hangars at Vittoria, 30 miles south and inland from Bilbao, and 65 miles southwest of the French frontier. Cornish fishermen say they have sighted live .mines in the English Channel. It is believed that they broke away from their moorings off the Spanish coast, and drifted into the Bay of Biscay.

The Admiralty has sent a destroyer to search.