ESCAPE FROM PRISON

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 36, 6 November 1933, Page 9

ESCAPE FROM PRISON

Spanish Tobacco Magnate REACHES GIBRALTAR (Received November 5, 7 p.m.) Madrid, November 3. Juan March, Spain's tobacco king, a very wealthy man, had been in gaol at Aleala de Henqres for eighteen mouths awaiting trial on a charge of obtaining the Moroccan tobacco monopoly by bribery during the Monarchist regime. March continued to conduct his huge business from the office Of the prison, and had his own chef to cook his meals. Warders to-day discoverer! that March had escaped, and two warders have been arrested for, it is alleged, permitting him to escape. A commission has so far failed to substantiate the charges against March, and the news of his escape has created a sensation in Madrid The Premier immediately announced severe measures against those who directly or Indirectly were responsible for March’s escape. It is reported that the Government has ordered ah inquiry into the escape of March, which was aided by a prison official Who accompanied him to Gibraltar. ARRIVAL AT GIBRALTAR Passes Frontier Unrecognised (Received November 5, 7 p.m.) Gibraltar, November 4. Juan March arrived hero in a motorcar. He passed the frontier unrecognised. Fie is staying with Spanish Monarchists who have lived here since the establishment of the Republic. It is reported that the Spanish Government may confiscate March's property. valued at over five million sterling, mostly in the Balearic Islands.