GENERAL FRANCO’S WARNING

Evening Star, Issue 23103, 1 November 1938, Page 9

GENERAL FRANCO’S WARNING

ANNOYED AT DETENTION OF REBEL SHIPS THREATENS BRITAIN WITH CLOSED PORTS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 31. The ‘ Daily Herald ’ reports that General Franco told the British Foreign Office that he will close all his ports to British shipping in the event of an adverse judgment of the Appeal Court in the case of the steamer Arantzazo Mendi, which will decide the fate of 14 other rebel ships detained by Britain at the request of the loyalist Government. The demand implies recognition of rebel Spain as a sovereign State, thus strengthening Genei’al Franco’s claim to belligerent rights. REPORT DENIED LONDON, October 31. (Received November 1, at 10 a.m.) “ General Franco is incapable of so gross an inpropriety ” states his London agent, the Duke of Alba, denying the ‘ Herald’s ’ report that General Franco will close all his ports to British shipping in the event of an adverse judgment of the Appeal Court in the case, of the steamer Arantzazu Mendi, which will decide the fate of 14 other rebel ships detained by Britain at the request of the Loyalist Government. BROTHER OF LEADER KILLED CRASH AT MAJORCA. BURGOS, October 31. Major Ramon Franco, brother of General Franco, who was commander of the seaplane base of Majorca, was killed in an air crash off the Balearics. One of his unpublished

songs, ‘ Life’s Great Sunset,’ will be played at his funeral. He told a friend it was a swan-song composed when ho knew several mouths ago he had not long to live. The bodies of the four occupants were found floating in the wreckage of the plane, which was caught in a storm after leaving Palma. EBRO OFFENSIVE RESUMED REBEL SUCCESSES CLAIMED. BARCELONA. October si. Resuming the Ebro offensive, General Franco’s forces captured Sierra de los Caballos. Ten rebel and five loyalist aeroplanes were brought down. REMAINING HEIGHTS CAPTURED BURGOS, October 31. (Received November 1, at 11 a.m.) The Franco authorities report the capture of the remaining heights on the Ebro front.