CONSULAR BAG MISUSED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22591, 22 December 1938, Page 9

CONSULAR BAG MISUSED

Dispatch From San Sebastian

FRANCO'S PLANS DIVULGED

British Official Not Implicated

(BSITISB OFFICIAL WIKELS3S.) (Received December 21, 9 p.m.) RUGBY, December 20. It is reported that a package containing what is described as incriminating matter has been found by the Spanish rebel frontier authorities at Irun in a consular bag dispatched by the British Vice-Consu-late at San Sebastian to the British Embassy at St. Jean de Luz.

It is understood that a full investigation is being made by the Spanish Nationalist authorities, who are receiving the co-operation and assistance of the British authorities cn the spot.

The British Vice-Consul at San Sebastian is Mr Harold Goodman, and although he himself was carrying the bag containing the package referred to, no suggestion has been jnade from any quarter that he was otherwise or in any way personally implicated in the incident.

The Australian Associated Press says that the incriminating matter in the bag is understood to be military information valuable to the Government in Spain. It is also revealed that the bag has been so used for many months. The "Daily Telegraph" says that the frontier authorities informed Mr Goodman that they had reason to! believe that an irregular packet was contained in the bag. Mr Goodman replied that it was most unlikely, but opened the bag for a search. Apparently the matter was placed in the bag by a person with access to the Vice-Consulate. It is understood that it contained information of General Franco's forthcoming offensive in the Segre sector in Catalonia. There have been many arrests in San Sebastian in connexion with the incident, including, it is reported, several officers of General Franco's general staff. A later message states that it is row understood that the incriminrMnf packa"" contained maps used by General Franco's general staff.