FOREIGN TROOPS IN SPAIN

Evening Star, Issue 22627, 20 April 1937, Page 9

FOREIGN TROOPS IN SPAIN

WITHDRAWAL OF GERMANS AND ITALIANS POSSIBLE DECISIVE VICTORY FOR FRANCO HOT ANTICIPATED Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, April 19. The report that Italy and Germany favour the withdrawal of volunteers from Spain is by no means discountenanced here. The ‘ Daily Herald’s ’ diplomatic correspondent declares that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini have made up their minds that a decisive victory for General Franco is out of the question; therefore, their joint policy in future will be, firstly, trying to obtain tho best possible peace terms for the rebels and a “ composite ” regime for postwar Spain; secondly, finding means of withdrawing Italians and Germans without losing face. German expert® have convinced Italy that neither side is capable of winning the war outright. Italy and Germany are disturbed by the effect of tho campaign on the troops’ morale. The '* Daily Telegraph’s ’ diplomatic correspondent says responsible quarters in London fear that the time for mediation has not yet arrived, believing that the hatreds arousedsby both sides in Spain are too deep to permit of a compromise. However, reports of the Italian and German attitude are perfectly credible. German intervention has been less vigorous recently, while the relations between the Italian commanders and General ETanco’s staff are by no means cordial. DEAN OF CANTERBURY IMPRESSED BY LOYALISTS. LONDON, April 19. Tho Dean of Canterbury, in the course of a sermon, said: “It may be that the greater mechanised forces, supplied by Germany and Italy, are on tho rebels’ side in Spain, but on the Government side there are forces of the spirit which will win in the long run. It is totally wrong to say that the Spaniards and Russians are irreligious. It is not a matter of what lies they say; it is what they mean in their hearts.” GENERAL FRANCO'S CLAIM CONTROLS MORE THAN HALF OF SPAIN. SALAMANCA, April 19. (Received April 20, at 8 a.m.) General Franco, broadcasting after repeating the claim that he had conquered more than half of Spain and was ruling thq Spanish seas, appealed for union against foreign interference, as well as for internal freedom. He described democracies as being full of conventionalism. He vaguely outlined his intended post-war regime as participation by all in control of the State through municipal, syndical, and family functions. THE CONTROL SCHEME INSTRUCTIONS TO SHIPPING. LONDON, April 19. (Received April 20, at 10.10 a.m.) In connection with the scheme of control of Spanish coasts and frontiers coming into force at midnight to-night, the Board of Trade has issued a warning that ships ‘proceeding to Spanish territory will, within 10 miles of the Spanish coast, be subject to naval observation. They should keep outside 10 sea miles of the Spanish coast until it is necessary to approach nearer in order to enter the port of destination. Ships not bound for Spanish ports should, if possible, keep outside 10 sea miles from the Spanish coast, ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 19. (Received April 20, at noon.). Vice-Admiral Blake embarked in H.M.S. Hood at La Rochelle on his return from Hendaye, where he had been in consultation with the British Ambassador to Spain. The scheme for supervising observation of the non-intervention agreement on the Spanish land and sea frontiers will come into operation at midnight to-night. By that hour the administrators and observers will bo at their posts on the land frontiers of Spain. Simultaneously, British, French, Italian, and German ' warships will begin the duty of watching the Spanish coasts. Twenty-seven Governments are taking part in the scheme, which is generally regarded as one of the most promising international experiments ever undertaken. MEXICO'S INTENTIONS WILL HELP LOYALISTS. GENEVA, April 19. (Received April 20, at 1.45 p.m.) Coincident with the application of the control scheme Senor Isidor Fabela, a Mexican delegate, announced that Mexico would continue to assist the Spanish loyalists. DEFENCES OF BILBAO SAFETY OF SHIPPING GUARANTEED. LONDON, April 19. (Received April 20, at 1 p.m.) The Bilbao correspondent of ‘ The Times ‘ says full details of the defences of Bilbao for commercial shipping within territorial waters have been supplied to the British Consul (Mr Stevenson) and the Vice-Consul (Mr Innes).

The details show five batteries of heavy artillery emplaced on either side of the mouth of the River Nervion, and survey aeroplanes to reconnoitre for ships entering and leaving. Complete freedom,from mines inside and outside territorial waters has been ensured at night by searchlights and by patrol boats, and 16 minesweepers operating in the daytime. These measures have prevented minelaying since January 1. Tho Basque Government guarantees the safety of British shipping within its waters.

BLOCKADE OF BILBAO QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 19. (Received April 20, at noon.) The Foreign Secretary, the President of the Board of Trade, and the First Lord of the Admiralty were all questioned in the House of Commons regarding the situation arising from the insurgent effort to blockade tho Basque ports. At the end of Sir Samuel Hoare’s replies the Opposition leader expressed dissatisfaction, and gave notice that he would raise the subject of an adjournment to-morrow. The moving of an adjournment on any other question on the day of the Budget is a most unusual procedure. The most important of the statements made in the First Lord’s replies was that the reports received from the Vice-Admiral commanding the battle cruiser squadron in the Hood, read together with the reports received from other authorities concerned, had confirmed the view that the Spanish insurgent authorities had established an effective defacto blockade of Bilbao. Sir Samuel Hoare also said that up to about a month ago the reports showed that the Spanish authorities had attempted to maintain a swept channel through the minefields into Bilbao, but he was unable to say whether they had in fact found it possible to continue this operation in the face of superior insurgent forces. Mr Eden, in reply to a question, said General Franco’s blockade warning had nothing to do with the decision taken by the Government. He also informed the House that the French Government had been kept fully informed of the British attitude, and he had no reason to suppose that on the broad lines of the policy the French Government disagreed. The French had advised him that they would not allow interference with French ships on tho high seas and) that the local situation would , jiot arise with them, as they had no ships going to Bilbao, Tho President of the Board of Trade said four British vessels had l left Bilbao in the past week, and the First Lord of the Admiralty added that, as far as he was aware, no attempt was being made by the insurgents to prevent the departure of shins from Bilbao.