GENERAL FRANCO'S SUDDEN SUCCESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 20, 25 January 1939, Page 11

GENERAL FRANCO'S SUDDEN SUCCESS.

EUROPEAN TENSION. M. Bonnet Agrees to Delay Important Speech. WIDE INFLUENCE EXPECTED. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LOXDOX, January 24. The sudden success of General Franco's drive to Barcelona has resulted in a marked heightening of the European tension, says the Associated Press. It is learned that Britain has succeeded in persuading M. Bonnet, the French Foreign Minister, to delay the speech he intended makir.g to-night. M. Bonnet will not speak before Thursday. His statement is expected to have a most important influence on the threatened crisis. French and British Socialists are combining to exert the utmost pressure for assistance for the Government of Spain. It is considered most undesirable that M. Bonnet should commit France to any policy before the position of Barcelona is clarified. It is learned that suggestions that France may seize Minorca if the Italians do not retire from Spain are not merely idle gossip. The (piestion of Minorca's future was raised by the French during the recent Anglo-French talks. France is unanimous, says a message from Paris, in assuming that the attacks by the Italian Press are not based on an honest desire to discuss legitimate claims, but represent an artificial campaign to justify Italy's imperialistic pretensions. Commentators recall the parallel German Press abuse against the Czechs until Herr Hitler showed his hand. Almost the whole of the French Press envisages the possibility of difficulty arising, necessitating the postponement of the carrying out of Signor Mussolini's promise to Mr. Chamberlain to withdraw from Spain after General Franco's victory. FOREIGN SHIPS HIT. OVER 100 BOMBS DROPPED. Independent Cable Service. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LOXDOX, January 24. A message from Barcelona states that the French cruiser Suffren has arrived at Caldetas, where it will remain at the disposal of the French Ambassador. A cablegram fron: Valencia says several foreign ships were hit by shrapnel and eight houses were destroyed, when ten Savoia 'planes dropped over 100 bombs this morning.