GERMAN ACTIVITY IN MOROCCO

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21987, 11 January 1937, Page 9

GERMAN ACTIVITY IN MOROCCO

growing ALARM IN FRANCE REPORTS DENIED IN BERLIN FEAR THAT HITLER'S COLONIAL CAMPAIGN IS BEGINNING (ONiTEi> PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT.) (Received January 10, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 9. The Berlin Official News Agency to-night repeated the official denial that German troops have entered Spanish Morocco, or that barracks have been built for their accommodation, but the value of the denial is discounted by the fact that the same statement adds: "There ate no German troops in Spain." Political circles ascribe the British and French newspaper reports about Germans in Morocco to attempts to poison international relations by circles attempting to circumvent ah improvement of the Spanish question, for which the Italian and German notes paved the way. The German Ministry for Propaganda denies that German troops have landed in Morocco, but does not attempt to deny that German firms are drawing supplies of copper, iron, mercury, and nickel from the Moroccan mines, where General Franco has granted concessions. . Paris newspapers continue to exI press growing alarm at the reported ("German invasion" of Spanish Mo.rocco. "Humanite" says: "We cannot delay unless we are willing to see Spanish Morocco under the heeJ of Germany, and a hostile army o| 100,000 on our southern frontier." Military Activities The Rabat correspondent of the "Intransigeant" details alleged German movements since the outbreak of the Spanish /ar. He declares that the pan-Arabian movement has been revived by members wearing a combined Moslem and Swastika badge, and also that Germany is aiming at making Ifni, which is at present a poor anchorage, into a submarine base. Germany is constructing a vast aerodrome in the nieghbourhood, and is carrying out other military activities.

Other reports allege that German secret service agents have been active, spending vast sums oh propaganda. It is reported that Germans in Morocco are now approaching 3000, leading to the belief that Herr Hitler, on the pretext of aiding General Franco, is launching his longthreatened colonial campaign. Meanwhile, the French Atlantic and Mediterranean squadrons, aggregating 73 vessels, are assembling for manoeuvres which had previously been arranged within sight of the Moroccan coast. Numerous rumours circulating in Paris, including a report that the French and British fleets are keeping in touch, led to tho naval and military authorities issuing a calming statement. "Preparations at ports are creating a certain bustle. They have no cause but the resumption of the usual naval activities at the beginning of the year." A French protest has not been sent to General Franco, as France has not recognised the insurgent | Government, but has been dispatched to the High Commissioner for Morocco at Tetuan, It is understood, according to official circles, that the protest is a firm warning that French rights will be defended if the tentative menace develops, rather than an indication that the situation is considered imminently serious. Minister's Inspection The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Mail" officially announced that M. Daladier, the French Minister for Defence, accompanied by defence experts, will make a tour of inspection of Morocco, starting oh January 15. It is reported from Melilla (Spanish Morocco) that large German contingents, of all arms, have landed there. The officers are apparently preparing for a long stay. Three German destroyers and several submarines are reported to be anchored in the harbour. German engineers are reorganising the iron mines in the interior with a view to more extensive production. The French Mediterranean fleet has been ordered shortly to carry cut a cruise off the north coast of Africa, which is regarded as significant in view of the reported German penetration of Morocco. The Government has drawn General Franco's attention to violation 'of the Franco-Spanish treaty involved in the preparation of barracks for German troops in Spanish Morocco. Reports from Tangier indicate that the infiltration of Germans is steadily proceeding. The British Foreign Secretary (Mr R A. Eden) is investigating the Moroccan situation and is exchanging information With M. Charles Corbin (French Ambassador to London). GERMAN ULTIMATUM IGNORED RELEASE OF CARGO FROM PALOS BERLIN, January 8. No reply has been received to the I German ultimatum about the Palos. A Foreign Office spokesman said that apparently the Valencian Government was ignoring it. "That settles that for what it is worth: German reprisals will be much more striking next time." The time limit for the release of the passenger and cargo taken from the Palos expired yesterday morning. The Valencia Government offered to submit to the arbitration of the Non-intervention Committee the question whether the seized portion! of the Palbs's cargo was war ma-

terial. If not, Spain was willing to return it to Germany. It is announced that;the crews of the Aragon and the Marta Junquera will be returned to Spain after the disposal of the vessels. EMBARGO ON ARMS SHIPMENTS AMERICAN RESOLUTION SIGNED (Received January io, 5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 9. The Congressional resolution making the embargo on the shipment of arms and aeroplanes to Spain effective immediately has been signed. ITALIANS LAND AT CADIZ (Received January 10, 11.30 p.m.) GIBRALTAR, January 9. . fi. further contingent of 3500 Italian troops are reported to have landed at Cadiz. RUSSIAN SHIP TAKEN BY REBELS SEBASTIAN, January 9. It is reported that the insurgents have captured the Russian cargo boat Sxidoviteh, carrying 3500 tons of grain. AMERICAN AIRMAN RETURNING NEW YORK," January 9. It is intimated that the airman, Bert Acosta, is returning from Madrid because of the failure of the loyalists to pay him to fly in the war. He faces loss of American citizenship. Federal agents -will | meet him when he arrives. I