NO SUPPLIES FOR SPAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1936, Page 7

NO SUPPLIES FOR SPAIN

GERMANY AGREES

CO-OPERATION WITH BRITAIN

J[By CABLE—PRISB ASSN.—COPYBIGHT.]

LONDON, August 8.

A message from Paris states that the, Cabinet has completed a resolution of non-intervention in the Spanish civil war, binding each signatory to prohibit the export or transport to Spain of all war materials, civil and military aircraft, and warships.

Britain has made representations to Italy, Germany, and Portugal, urg ing them to associate themselves with the French proposals for neutrality in the Spanish civil war. Portugal raised certain objections on account of her geographical position. The German Charge d’Affaires in London has given the Foreign Office explicit assurances that Germany has not sent any kind of war materials to the rebels, and has promised not to send such materials in future. He also intimated that the German warships in Spanish waters had been instructed not to do anything which might be interpreted as showing sympathy with the rebels. It now appears that Germany.is yielding to the pressure of British opinion and is prepared to agree to neutrality, even if Italy refuses, provided satisfactory assurances ate also obtained from Russia. FAVOURABLE REPLIES

[BBITISH OFFICIAL WIBELESS]

RUGBY, August 8.

In addition to the representations to the Powers already mentioned, the French Government approached the Polish, Netherlands and Czechoslovakian governments, in regard to non-intervention in Spain. Favourable replies have already been received frmo the two last named.

NO BRITISH SUPPLIES.

LONDON, August 8.

An allegation published abroad that Vickers Armstrong are fulfilling a large order for the Spanish Government for armaments is denied in British official quarters. It is stated that Vickers Armstrong made no application for an export license, without which no arms or munitions can be sent out of Britain. AUSTRALIAN RUMOURS.

SYDNEY, August 9.

The Australian Association Press has been authorised officially to deny reports that Britain asked the nations whether they are supplying arms to Spain, and requested Germany to explain the Deutschland’s movements. The Associated Press has been informed that such stories are without the slightest foundation. Apparently, they are circulating only in Australia, as it is believed that no newspaper in England has even suggested that such enquiries were made. .

GERMAN DEMANDS.

LONDON, August 8.

Fears have been entertained that Germany intended to land marines at Barcelona. Though the terms of the German note to Spain dealing with the allegedly murdered German citizens are not announced, it is believed in London that Germany not merely demands a substantial money payment, but also imposes a definite limit.

Reports from Berlin state that German intervention in Spain is authoritatively denied. A Foreign Office official declared that Germany decided on measures only after negotiations with the Spanish Government were concluded. The amount of compensation Germany was demanding would depend on an investigation of the personal affairs of the victims. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says M. Andre Francois-Poncet (French Ambassador in Berlin) called on Baron von Neurath, who accepted the non-inter-vention proposals with the proviso that all nations should remain strictly neutral. A growing fear of international complications arising from the civil war has overshadowed the actual fighting. While France, recognising that no time was to be lost, began circulating the draft “keep out” plan among the Powers, Herr Hitler, through his Ambassador at Madrid, demanded compensation for the shooting of German nationals. A message from Berlin states that the Nazi party’s foreign department added fuel to rising tempers with an announcement that three more German citizens had been killed, including a seven-year-old girl. The press is filled with angry comments, apparently officially inspired. Germany has now two pocket battleships and four torpedo boats in Spanish waters, and the cruiser. Koeln off the coast of Portugal. In official quarters disclosure of the steps contemplated by Germany is refused, but it is believed they largely depend on the attitude of Russia which is viciously attacked in the Berlin press. The French Ambassador drove to visit Baron von Neurath (German Foreign Minister) while posters of the “Allgemeine Zeitung” asked: “Is France delivering arms as well as neutrality proposals?”

RIVAL CLAIMS.

LONDON, August 8.

A Madrid message states that the Government claims the capture o£ Cadiz and also the suppression of a revolutionary outbreak at Badajoz. Loyalists, after securing the Balearic Island of Iviza, reoccupied the island of Fermentera.

Women of the northern province of Burgos, threw flowers and kisses, and children gave the Fascist salute, when lorry loads of fresh rebel troops left the insurgent headquarters to relieve comrades in the front line. The lorries bore monarchical red and yellow flags, and Fascist red and black flags. General Mola has forbidden his troops to use the Fascist salute, contending that as Spanish volunteers they must give the correct military salute.

General Dellano claims that 20,000 men are ready to cross the Straits. The rebels are purchasing powerful aeroplanes and soon will have a wellorganised air force.

Cabinet has approved of a decree

for the selling of the ships of a transAtlantic shipping company operating between Spain, Cuba* Mexico, and the United States.

REBELS AND RIFFS. LONDON, August 8. The Gibraltar correspondent of “The Times” says that aneye-witness, returned from Algeciras, stated that complete demoralisation prevailed, and few parts of the town were spared. Most of the public buildings were destroyed. All the batteries recently mounted by the rebels between Haifa Tarifa and Algeciras were destroyed. The sky was lurid with the light of many fires to-night. Apparently large quantities of ammunition and’ goods on the wharves are ablaze. The Cacablanca correspondent of “The Times” says that General Franco, who is well furnished with money, is recruiting natives at a great rate, and has won over the savage Riffian tribesmen. If he succeeds in retaining their support he may be able to raise an additional army of 6000. A message from Mentone states ■that the Prince of the Asturias has issued a statement that his recent journey to Spain was made as a private citizen. He wished to associate himself with the magnificent counter-revolutionary gesture the Spanish patriots were making.

COASTAL OPERATIONS,

LONDON, August 9. The Spanish coast, on both sides of Gibraltar, was in complete darkness last night. One report states that the Government is carrying out an important operation near Malaga. Another says that rebels are being transported from Morocco. The Government claims victory at the Nafavria Pass, north of Madrid. Seven rebel aeroplanes bombed entrenched loyalists. A rebel attack followed. After fierce fighting for 10 hours, the rebels retired, leaving 200 dead and a number of machine-guns. The Italian Embassy at Madrid protested to the Spanish Government, because of the deaths of three Italians shot in the streets in Barcelona for no apparent reason.

GUNS FIRE ON OWN MEN.

LONDON, August 8.

The Narbonne correspondent of the British United Press says that a tragic blunder marked the Spanish Government’s advance in the northern Guadarrama sector, when a column of 600 loyalist militia was shattered by its own artillery, while it was assembling to drive out the rebels from Sietamo, which subsequently fell into Government hands in spite of the initial mistake. The loyalists had planned a combined aeroplane and artillery bombardment of Sietamo at 5.30 a.m., followed by an infantry advance from lines east of the town, while the militia column from the south-west blocked the rebel retreat. The artillery, owing to a faulty liaison, was not advised that the last-named operation was pending, and observers mistook the advancing militia for rebel reinforcements. The guns opened fire at a six miles range, inflicting havoc, plunging the column into rout and wrecking the attack on Huesca, leaving the rebels’ line of retreat open. This is not the only example of lack of co-operation. Government aeroplanes elsewhere bombed rebel strongholds hours before the loyalist infantry were ready to advance, enabling the rebels to recover and reconsolidate the bombed positions. The militia complain that their commanders are leading them to destruction and suspect them of treachery.

REVOLT ON REBEL CRUISER.

(Reed. August 10, Noon.) LONDON, -August 9

The Spanish Government asserts that the rebel cruiser Almirante Cervera is unable to leave Ferrol, members of the crew having smashed important machinery.

It also asserts that it intercepted a wireless from the commander of the rebels at Oviedo, stating that he would be unable to hold out more than a few hours, unless he were reinforced.

SAFEGUARDING GIBRALTAR.

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS]

RUGBY, August 8.

In view of the danger to which Gibraltar Harbour might be exposed, the British Government informed both the Spanish Goverment and General Franco, commander of the insurgent forces, that in future no Spanish war vessels should proceed to anchor in the naval harbour at Gibraltar. A British warship will patrol the Straits of Gibraltar to protect British shipping from interference, and it is made clear there must be no firing in future on British ships. This is a renewal of similar warnings which have been given. Franco, moreover, has been informed that if military aircraft fly over Gibraltar, they will be warned by the firing of three rounds in advance of the machine, and if this warning is not effective, fire will be directed at the aircraft. A recent incident in the neighbourhood was the dropping of bombs near the British ship Medon, and the Dutch ship Zonnewyek, a few miles off Europa Point, for which it is practically certain Spanish aircraft, operating from Morocco, were responsible. Within the next two days, British naval vessels will visit all ports on the north and east coast of Spain, and also the Balearic Islands, In order to take away any remaining British nationals who are desirous of leaving. On the south coast, British vessels are constantly visiting Spanish ports. There are in Madrid only 60 British subjects, including 25 members of the Embassy and Consulate staffs.

ESTIMATES OF CHANCES.

(Recd. August 10, 2 p.m.)

LONDON, August 9.

The Madrid Press, which nowadays is exclusively Governmental, regards the French neutrality proposals as a lesser evil than foreign intervention. The Left Wing Leader, Caballero, declares that French assistance would automatically provoke Fascist countries to co-operate with the rebels, entailing international war, for which reason European neutrality was essential. Having seen some of the finest units of the rebel army marching between Sevilla and Granada, the “Daily Mail” correspondent, who emphasises the modern character of Franco’s artillery, declares he is convinced that

Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao cannot resist such forces. He says that Mola’s northern -troops approach the same standard, with fine cavalry, workmanlike infantry and artillery, and eager volunteers. Meantime, the Government successes in the important area around Sargossa, continue. “The Times's!” GiUaraJltar correspondent estimates the casaulties at the bombardment of Algeciras as a hundred killed and wounded, mostly civilian. The only military damage consisted of the destruction of local batteries and the gunboat Dato. While the infantry and artillery barracks and military headquarters are intact, private property suffered severely, especially commercial wharves. The Government naval patrol in the waters of Ceuta and Algeciras has been increased to include the destroyers Alcala, Galiano and Churruca.

The Queen Elizabeth, flying the flag of the Mediterranean Commander-in-Chief, entered Gibraltar- Harbour. The Government is launching a fresh northward push in the Guadarrawu sector. Rebel troops, advancing from further south in order to support Mola, have been repulsed. Air Commander Sandino reports a Loyalist advance on the entire Aragon front, inflicting severe losses.