SUBMARINES FOR FRANCO

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 18 September 1937, Page 15

SUBMARINES FOR FRANCO

REPORTED SALE BY MUSSOLINI CATEGORICAL DENIAL IN ROME ALLEGED ORDERS TO COMMIT PIRACY I (CNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 18, 1 a.m.) ROME, September 17. Official circles categorically deny a report in the Paris Socialist newspapers that Italy sold to General Franco 12 submarines which were manned with Italian volunteers. A report that Signor Mussolini had sent 12 submarines to the Dardanelles with instructions to engage in piracy is also denied. The authorities at the Toulon arsenal, after an examination, declared that the torpedo netted yesterday ±>y a French trawler was of Italian manufacture, but was a relic of the Great War. The rebel authorities have informed the Salamanca correspondent of "Le Matin" that they have positive evidence that at least two of the pirate submarines are Russian vessels. THE MEDITERRANEAN PATROL AIRCRAFT CO-OPERATION TO BE CONSIDERED (Received September 17, 10 p.m.) GENEVA, September 16. Delegates to the Nyon conference will meet at Geneva to-morrow to consider the question of the co-op-eration of aircraft in the Mediterranean patrol scheme. MR JORDAN AT GENEVA MOVING APPEAL FOR PEACE PROPOSAL FOR ELECTIONS IN SPAIN GENEVA, September 16. The High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J. Jordan), in a fiery, moving speech during the League Council debate on the Spanish appeal, suggested that Spain should be asked to become a grade A mandate in order to stop the war and hold fair elections when the country calmed down, so that the people could decide their own destiny. "I ask the Spanish people whether it is too late to do that now," added Mr Jordan. Peoples throughout the world, he said, desired peace, but the opinions of governments sometimes cut across the opinions of the people. He expressed horror at the outrages against shipping and against civilians in Spain. Speaking earnestly, rising from his seat and waving his arms, Mr Jordan declared: "Who will next appeal against this warring? We are referring too many matters to committees. My nation is small, you may say, and insignificant, but it is ready to stand behind the Covenant for collective security. The League's purpose is to protect humanity and oppose unwarranted attacks on innocent people." After the aggressions in Ethiopia, Spain, and China, New Zealand could not help asking, as a small country, who would be the next, and if New Zeal ana were attacked, would her colleague nations stand by. Referring to the sinking of the Campeador, Mr Jordan said that the Italian warships not only were alleged to have torpedoed the tanker, but machine-gunned the escaping crew, four of whom were left floating dead with their lifebelts on. -"It seemed like reading a book rather than a story of what had happened in our lifetime," he said. Mr Jordan "asked why Italy had not come before the Council to state her case. "The League must consider that acts violating international law have been perpetrated," he continued. "We have also heard an appeal from China to which Japanese sources responded by blaming the Chinese. That, at least, is something to investigate." Senor Juan Negrin (Spain) said that there were numerous proofs of Mediterranean sinkings by deliberate action under direct orders from the head of the Italian State, who publicly boasted of the support given the military rebellion. Senor Negrin begged the League to have courage and face the facts. By the exclusion of Spanish shipping from the Nyon agreement, international law had been profoundly shaken. He demanded inclusion.