CONFLICT IN SPAIN

Evening Star, Issue 22806, 15 November 1937, Page 9

CONFLICT IN SPAIN

FIERCE REPUBLICAN ATTACK INSURGENTS SURPRISED ON ARAGON FRONT SEVERAL HILLS CAPTURED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright MADRID, November 12. While the insurgents were resting before the great offensive the Republicans made a fierce surprise attack in Aragon and forced hack the insurgents, ■who rushed up Italian and Moorish reinforcements. The Republicans retreated in an orderly manner, and then again attacked and captured several hills. AIR RAID ON PAMPLONA GOVERNMENT BOMBERS ACTIVE. SARAGOSSA, November 12. Ten Government bombers, diving from an unexpected direction, made a surprise attack on Pamplona, and there were many casualties. According to an insurgent communication the bombers flew over French territory to avoid anti-aircraft guns and patrol planes on the Aragon front. REBEL COUNTER-OFFENSIVE TROOPS LAND AT CADIZ. GIBRALTAR, November 13. Five thousand rebel reinforcements, including Moors and Italians, and 170 'Fiat tanks, have been unloaded from Italian freighters and poured into Cadiz, indicating a renewal of the counter-offensive on the Posoblanco front in support of Cordoba, which the loyalists still threaten. A FIGHTING SPEECH SENOR AZANA ON DEFENCE OF MADRID. MADRID, November 13. Senor Azana, arriving from Barcelona accompanied by Senor Negrin and members of his Cabinet, delivered a fighting speech, in which he deprecated reports of big foreign arms assisting the Madrid front, which alone prevented the capital from surrendering. He added: “ Her own children are defending Madrid, and will rather fight than fall to tyranny.”SENOK KEGHIK'S MOVEMENTS LONDON, November 13. A message from Barcelona says: “ The Press Bureau admits that Senor Negrin left Barcelona, but says that reports that he hag gone to London are false.” BELLIGERENT RIGHTS REPORTS PROM BRUSSELS. . LONDON, November 13. Reports are being circulated at the Brussels Conference that Britain, France, and Russia agreed to the principle of granting belligerent rights when 70 per cent, of the volunteers on each side are withdrawn from Spain. BRITAIN'S LEAD MAY BE FOLLOWED BY , AMERICA. WASHINGTON, November-12. State Department officials indicated that the United States is considering the idea of following Britain’s lead in indirectly and unofficially recognising General Franco’s regime, and reopening the United States Consulate at Bilbao. It was announced to-night that it was being viewed from the “ hack door.” Mr Cordell Hull, at a Press conference, declined to discuss the matter, but State Department officials later reluctantly admitted the inferences. BRUNO MUSSOLINI REPORTED RETURN FROM MAJORCA. ROME, November 13. Bruno Mussolini, accompanied by Squadron-commander Attilio Biseo, is reported to have returned from Majorca, ARRIVAL IN ROME. ROME, November 14. (Received November 15, at 1 p.m.) Bruno Mussolini has returned from Spain.

FRANCO'S FOREIGN POLICY DESIRES GOOD RELATIONS WITH ALL POWERS. SALAMANCA, November 14. (Received November 15, at 10 a.m.) The British United Press • special correspondent states that he is authorised to pro,vide a statement on foreign policy. General Franco’s Spokesman declares that General Franco will not adhere to tho Anti-Comintern Pact, though he is determined to stamp out Communism in Spain once peace is restored. Ho desires good relations with all Powers without joining any bloc or political axis. Ho will certainly remember sentimentally those nations

aiding him, but sincerely desires rapproachement with England and Prance. Nationalist Spain supports the status quo in the Mediterranean and will not tolerate any direct or indirect foreign participation in , Spanish affairs or the Balearics, and will never enter any conflict directed against France or Britain, and will never contribute in any way to steps menacing tbeir interests in the Mediterranean.

General Franco, despite foreign aid accepted to crush extremism, will never mortgage the national patrimony. He no longer needs foreign troops and is prepared to let them return and will receive no further, aid from abroad, provided the same conditions apply to Barcelona.

The Government of the new regime will not be parliamentary. It is possible that the youngest son of ex-King Alfonso will he enthroned. A Civil Cabinet is already in process of formation.

The new Spain will not be hostile to the League of Nations and will not tolerate interference with its colonial Empire. FRANCO'S AGENTS EK ROUTE TO LONDON LONDON, November 14. (Received November 15, at 8 a.m.) The agents to represent the Insurgents in England have left for London with documents fpr General Franco’s chief agent, Duke Alba, which will enable him to inform the British Government of the insurgents’ attitude to the proposed withdrawal of volunteers. It is added that General Franco will afford all facilities to the British Government’s plans to end the Spanish war. MOORISH CROWDS FIRED ON GUARDS’ DRASTIC ACTION. oat-. GIBRALTAR, November 14. (Received November 15, at 1.15 p.m.) Guards at the Spanish Commissioner’s office at Tetuan are reported to have fired on a crowd of elderly Moors, women, and children carrying placards refusing to allow young Moors to go to Spain because so many had gone under broken promises and many had not returned. The firing billed several. Fifty were arrested and the ring leaders shot.

Skirmishes occurred throughout the day between armed tribesmen entering from the desert and Phalangists patrolling the streets with machine guns.

, Frontier guards stopped European residents fleeing to Tangier!