Deportation Means Death For Him

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 13025, 2 May 1940, Page 2

Deportation Means Death For Him

Perth, April 18

Deportation of Antonio Rodriguez Gil, 37-year-old Spanish soldier-sea-man, a Spanish civil war refugee, who is in Fremantle gaol serving a sentence of three months, pending deportation back to Spain, may be a death sentence for him. Through an interpreter in gaol today, Gil declared that certain execution awaits him in reconstructed Spain. His name is on the “black list,” he said, because he worked on a boat which carried munitions for the Republicans’ fight against General Franco. Miss Mary Lowson, an Australian nurse, .who was in Spain during the war, has taken up the man’s case. “Gil was in Alicanto when Franco’s troops entered,” she says. “With others, he escaped across France, to reach England, where he managed to joint a boat for Australia.”

Gil deserted his ship at Frema’h*tle, leaving behind a large sum in wages.

Gil said to-day, when discussing his fears: “I have committed no crime, except to fight for the losing side.” Excitedly he explained that Franco would have him executed, like many others of his countrymen, and significantly drew his finger across his throat. He is hoping that the Commonwealth Government will consider his case.