FRANCE WORRIED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 89, 17 April 1939, Page 7

FRANCE WORRIED.

TROOPS IN SPAIN.

Thousands Of Italians And Germans Arrive. DISTURBING REPORTS. United Press Association.—copyright.

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON 7 , April 16.

France is most perturbed at reports that between 15,000 and 20,000 fresh Italian troops have been landed at Cadiz and are concentrating at Logrono, 60 miles from the FrancoSpanish frontier, says the Bordeaux correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph."

Large quantities of war material have been landed at Vigo, Spain, in the last ten da\ T s. France is also most concerned at the continued presence of hundreds of Italian and German aeroplanes, which are accommodated at a string of Ger-man-built, heavily-fortified aerodromes along the northern frontier.

It is known that between 9000 and 10,000 picked German technicians and artillerymen are still in Spain, distributed among the northern towns. It is considered they would be more, useful to General Franco than the Italians in the event of an att-ack against France. In addition to numerous artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns, the Germans possess 50 guns which are among the heaviest in "nrope. These guns were largely responsible for the smashing of the Catalan front in the closing stages of the civil war. Officials at Hendaye say the French frontier batteries are fully manned and command all the Spanish approaches. Troops are at present manning the mountain defences. Heavy guns and extra ammunition have been installed and anti-aircraft equipment has been reinforced. Position at Gibraltar. A dispatch from Gibraltar says that two French battleships and two destroyers have arrived there. The Ist- Battalion the Welsh Guards will go to Gibraltar on April 22. Boom defences have been installed and entrance to the British Admiralty harbour is forbidden. A semi-official communique from Burgos, says a message from St. Jean de Luz, states that no date has been fixed for the "victory parade" in Madrid. The 'decision rests with General Franco. The Duke of Alba, Spanish Ambassador to Britain, is returning to London. ON CRUTCHES.

Republican Commander Hears Death Sentence.

BARCELONA COURT-MARTIAL.

(Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 16. A court-martial at Barcelona passed the death sentence upon General Jose Roldan, commander of the Barcelona forces when the Nationalist movement started in Spain, because he ordered the Civil Guards to fight the Nationalist Army. He also gave evidence against Generals Goded and Burriel, whom the Republicans executed. Colonel Roldan's brother refused to defend him, so a lieutenant took over the task. Colonel Roldan was on crutches.

POPE'S PRAISE.

"VICTORY OVER COMMUNISM." (Received 11 a.m.) VATICAN CITY, April 16. The Pope, broadcasting to Spain, lauded the Nationalists' fight for Christian civilisation. He congratulated them on their victory over Communism and appealed to the victors to temper justice with mercy and remember that many were misled by propaganda.

NAZI FLEET MOVE.

" FOOLISH ASSUMPTION."

BERLIN, April 16,

A spokesman for the German Navy Department said it would be foolish to assume that the sending of the ships to Spanish waters was in anticipation or war. If trouble arose the German Navy s rst duty would be to defend its own coast. ""We are planning no joint manoeuvres with the Spanish > FtaUg have merely ordered a t™ , " , ?* C ™ B * which was decided upon months ago, said the spokesman. The Navy that one 10,000-ton battleship wdl vmt SA tSrSS%Si£ mostly in north Spanish w»tera.