A FOOTING IN AFRICA

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21986, 9 January 1937, Page 13

A FOOTING IN AFRICA

REPORTED INTENTION OF GERMANY \ TROOPS EXPECTED AT CEUTA FRANCE ASSEMBLING NAVAL FORCES (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received January 8, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 7. According to the “News-Chron-icle,” preparations are well advanced in Spanish Morocco to provide accommodation and supplies for a large number of German troops, who are expected to arrive shortly. “The immediate cause,” says the report, “is the necessity to aid the rebels, whose position is threatened by native unrest. The ultimate cause is Germany’s intention to oh- 1 tain a footing in North Africa, opening up chances of blackmail in the Mediterranean and Africa whenever the question of the return of German colonies might be raised.” The Paris correspondent of the “News-Chronicle” says the report about the arrival of Germans at Ceuta reached him from an unimpeachable Spanish Moroccan source. He adds that four French torpedo boats arrived at Casablanca yesterday, three battleships are due tomorrow, and .by January 19. there will be assembled, in addition, one cruiser, 23 destroyers, four torpedo boats, and several submarines. French naval circles maintain that these are merely the usual spring manoeuvres, which last year were held off Jakar, Nevertheless they admit that a French fleet would be available off the Spanish Moroccan coasts if a crisis arose. The Paris correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” states that official circles have detailed information that General Franco assisted the Germans in turning Ceuta into another Gibraltar armed with eightinch guns in violation of the Treaty of Algeciras. German marines are already reported to have landed at Ceuta, where powerful fortifications have been under construction in the last six weeks under the supervision of German engineers. German warships have recently been increasingly active, visiting all Spanish Moroccan ports.