ITALIAN HELP FOR FRANCO

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 271, 12 August 1938, Page 11

ITALIAN HELP FOR FRANCO

British Representations In Rome ANXIETY OVER VOLUNTERS WITHDRAWAL PLAN By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received August 11, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 11. British and French diplomatic circles continue to be concerned over General Franco’s non-accept-ance of the British plan for the withdrawal of volunteers from Spain. Sir Noel Charles, British Charge d’Affaires in Rome, interviewed Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Secretary, to-day, and drew his attention to reports that Italy was still actively aiding General Franco with reinforcements and munitions.

Sir Noel expressed no opinion regarding the accuracy of these reports, but pointed out that they were bound to create difficulties for M. Daladier, French Premier, who might feel compelled to reopen the Pyrenean frontier. It is understood that Count Ciano replied that he had not heard of the allegations, but would inquire into them.

Meantime Senor Del Vayo, Spanish Government Foreign Minister, in an interview with the British and French envoys at (Barcelona, stressed the Spanish Government’s diflicultiee through its acceptance of the British plan. They still were at a disadvantage at sea, he said, while faced with a closed French frontier. General Franco’s representatives at Burgos explain that he is exceptionally busy with military operations and many points of the plan require his personal consideration.

OFFENSIVES BEGIN SIMULTANEOUSLY

Loyalists And Rebels

London, August 10.

A Barcelona message states that a surprise offensive by the loyalists on the Catalan front, across the River Segre, successfully cut into rebel territory in the vicinity of the Balaguer power stations. Simultaneously the rebels began an offensive in the southwest section of the Estremadurrr front. The insurgents claim, in a communique issued at Salamanca, to have beaten back the republicans for eight miles, 200 being killed.

BRITISH PROTEST TO BURGOS Deliberate Attack On Ship (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, August 10. The attack on the British steamer Lake Lugano at' Palamos, Spain, on August 5 is the subject of a protest which is being handed by the British agent in Spain, Sir Robert Hodgson, to the Burgos authorities. The circumstances of the attack, including the fact that the ship was the only one in the harbour at the time, point to the conclusion that the attack was deliberate. The protest reserved the right of Britain to claim compensation and states that Britain considers it should be included in the list of attacks which it is proposed a commission of inquiry should investigate.

So far no confirmation has been received in London of a renewed attack on the sinking of the Lake Lugano which newspapers report occurred yesterday when further bombs were dropped on the wreck from a plane. BRITISH LINER HELD UP Rebel Armed Trawler Gibraltar, August 10. An insurgent armed trawler fired a blank shot and stopped the liner Llandaff Castle (10,786 tons), from England, in the Strait of Gibraltar.. The Dutch gunboat Johann Maurits van Nassau, of the Dutch Gibraltar patrol, intervened and the trawler cast off and steamed away. The Llandaff Castle continued her voyage to Africa after a delay of 15 minutes. The hold-up occurred at night time. Two hundred passengers rushed to the rail when the trawler came alongside, but there was no panic. FRENCH WARNING TO FRANCO (Received August 11, 7.30 p.m.) London, August 11. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Bayonne correspondent says that France is understood to have warned General Franco that the Franco-Spanish frontier may -be reopened unless the French vice-consul at Irun, who has been detained by the Nationalists for months without charge, is released forthwith.