BRITISH POLICY IN SPAIN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 17

BRITISH POLICY IN SPAIN

♦ No Proposals For Alteration NAVAL PROTECTION TO BE CONTINUED (BBITISH OITICZAZ, WIBELESS.) (Received December 23, 9 p.m.) RUGBY, December 22. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler) received a deputation organised by the London Federation of Peace Council to discuss questions connected with the war in Spain. He informed the deputation in regard to the granting of belligerent rights to General Franco’s administration, that as long as the proposals in the plan of the International Non-Intervention Committee continued to represent the programme of the committee, the Government, as a member of the committee, adhered to them and had no proposals to advance for altering that position. Mr Butler said the British Navy would continue to protect on the high seas British merchantmen, including those chartered by relief organisations. The deputation suggested that an international scheme might be evolved similar to the British export guarantee system, to facilitate the sending of food, coal, and cotton goods to Spain. The deputation also suggested that loans might be advanced to suitable relief organisations to alleviate immediate conditions of starvation, repayment being made in due time through the present methods of collecting individual donations. Mr Butler promised to consider a further memorandum containing these and other suggestions, and gave information about the steps which had been taken to examine the proposals for sending herrings and, possibly, coal to Spain.

SABOTAGE PLOT UNCOVERED ARRESTS IN LOYALIST CITIES (Received December 23, 10.30 p.m.) BARCELONA, December 23. The Government radio station announced that the biggest sabotage plot during the war had been uncovered in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. It is alleged that General Franco’s agents gained control of coal, food, and milk supplies which they sabotaged, and then capitalised on the population’s discontent. Several hundred were arrested and will be immediately courtmartialled. MISUSE OF CONSULAR BAG NO BRITISH PAip OFFICIALS IMPLICATED LONDON, December 22. The Australian Associated Press learns that none of the Consulate officers who are implicated in the bag mystery is a paid member of the service. Mr Goodman, who is a British subject, has been resident in Spain for many years, and he acts in an honorary capacity. He was granted certain special allowances after the outbreak of war. There is no confirmation of the reported arrests by the Nationalists of a British subject. Mr Ernest Golding, who is replacing Mr Goodman, and a British messenger, J. Rattenbury, but neither is immune from arrest. Mr Golding is classed as a “Pro-consul,” which is the lowest Consulate grading. Two prominent French officials at San Sebastian have been arrested. A statement from Burgos declares that the consular bag has been a regular channel of spy communications, and it thanks Britain for her assistance after the discovery. The Nationalists deny military revolts, but they admit the discovery of a vast spy network.