INCRIMINATING INFORMATION

Evening Star, Issue 23147, 22 December 1938, Page 11

INCRIMINATING INFORMATION

SMUGGLED INTO CONSULAR BAG MANY ARRESTS MADE Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 21. The Australian Associated Press says the incriminating matter in the consular bag is understood to be military inlorraation, valuable to the Government of Spain. It has also been revealed that the consular bag had been used in this way for many months. The ’ Daily Telegraph ’ says the frontier authorities informed Mr Goodman (British Vice-Consul at San Sebastian) that they had reason to believe that an irregular packet was contained in the consular bag. Mr Goodman replied that it was most unlikely, but opened the bag for a search. Apparently the matter was placed in the bug by a person with access to the vice-consulatc. It is understood that it contained information concerning General Franco’s forthcoming offensive in the Segre sector at Catalonia.

There have been many arrests in San Sebastian in connection with the incident, including, it is reported, several officers of General Franco’s general staff. ANTI-FRANCO PLOT ARRESTS AND EXECUTIONS LONDON, December 21. (Received December 22, at 11 a.m.) The British United Press correspondent at Hendaye discloses that another anti-Franco plot has been discovered, with its centre at Burgos. It is reported that 765 have been arrested, and several officers, including two colonels and one major, have been executed. It was the sequel to raids throughout tho city on December 3, and a rounding-up of plotters organising a military uprising to overthrow General Franco. All tho officers involved have been executed.

Apropos of the consular bag incident, the police express the opinion that a Spaniard at the British Consulate placed the information in Mr Goodman’s bag. It is understood that it disclosed that General Franco was planning to throw 500,000 men into a final offensive. Already 200 have been arrested and are being court-martialled. CONFLICTING REPORTS (Independent Cable” Service.)

LONDON, December 21

(Received December 22, at 1 p.m.)

Franco’s news agency in London says that the reports of the revolt centred at Burgos are not true, and that they are based on the fact that there have been numerous arrests in the frontier zone for smuggling and other illegalities. A message from Paris, however, says that it is learned from the most reliable source that a revolt which was well-planned broke out in the garrisons at Saragossa, Segovia, Pamplona, Soria, and several other cities in General Franco’s Spain. Over 1,000 officers and non-commissioned officers have been arrested. S'! MEDIATION OR ARMISTICE GENERAL FRANCO’S POLICY. (Independent Cable Service.) LISBON, December 21. (Received December 22, at 8 a.m.) Messages from Burgos state that ex-King Alfonso has given 1,000 pesetas as a fund for social assistance.

An official Press message states that General Franco is refusing all suggestions for mediation or an armistice whether with the King or otherwise.