GERMAN WARSHIPS ON WAY TO SPAIN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 257, 27 July 1936, Page 9

GERMAN WARSHIPS ON WAY TO SPAIN

Both Sides Seek Foreign Aid reported activities of ITALIANS AND GERMANS By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received July 26, 6.30 p.m.) London, July 21. Germany’s pocket battleships arc on the way to Spain. Admiral Horton, commander of the British cruiser London, is reported to have drawn alongside the Italian cruiser Monte Cuccoli when it was on the point of firing on Barcelona, and persuaded the commander to desist. The Italians were incensed by attacks on Fascist clubs. The Spanish fleet has left Tangier in response to international protests. Tlie "Manchester Guardian’s” diplomatic correspondent says that, a pessimistic view is taken in London of events in Spain. It is considered that everything points to a protracted ana sanguinary civil war. The insurgents have the advantage of outside help. Large numbers of Italian and German agents have arrived in Morocco and the Balearic Isles and are participating in military activities and also assuring the rebels that they are supported by the great Fascist Powers, which is a big encouragement to their morale. Many of the rebels’ weapons are of Italian origin. Germany is concentrating on the Balearic Isles, where she hopes to secure concessions in view of their strategic importance in relation to the Mediterranean. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says that the . rival forces in Spain are both appealing to foreign countries for support. The Spanish Government has already addressed several appeals for aid to France, but the Foreign Minister, M. Delbos, and the entire staff of' the Quai d'Orsay, are irrevocably opposed to any intervention. It is ,»e--lieved that M. Blum will be persuaded to resist demands from French Communist elements for support for Spain. Meanwhile the rebels are appealing to Rome and Berlin whither, it is understood, emissaries have been dispatched. The “News Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says that four aeroplanes, part of a Spanish order for military machines, have loft France for Barcelona. The Quai d’Orsay denies that the Spanish Government applied for arms. The French Government has ordered Senor Gil Robles, the Spanish Catholic leader, and also the Spanish millionaire, Juan March, whom the Madrid Government accuses of financing the revolt, to leave Bayonne, where they took refuge, and to proceed somewhere north of the Loire River. France has expelled to Spain the insurgent Spanish agitator, Roderiguez Anselaeh, who is accused of printing inflammatory pamphlets at Biarritz for aerial distribution in Spain. The French Cabinet is reported to hav e discussed the question of furnishing arms and munitions to the Spanish Government. Deputies who are usually well-informed regarding Government policy appear sure that the Government is not. prepared to intervene in Spain by authorising the supply of war material.

A Lisbon wireless message states that Italy has strongly protested to the Spanish Government against the burning of the Italian consulate at Barcelona.