“DANGER” SEEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 5

“DANGER” SEEN

FRENCH ON BORDER SPAIN WARNS POWERS SABOTEURS’. INCURSIONS LONDON, March 24. The Spanish Government to-day warned Britain and America of the “danger” of the French military preparations that are allegedly taking place on the frontier between the two countries, says the Associated Press’ correspondent in Madrid. The Spanish Government rejected in advance responsibility for any _ consequences of the alleged preparations. It is understood that these representations were presented verbally by the Spanish Ambassadors in London and Washington to the British Foreign Office and American State Department. The British and American Governments were informed, too, that Spain would in no way. provoke any action, but at the same time was watching French activity and making the necessary preparations on her own side. The Madrid newspaper. A.8.C., in a front-page editorial headed “Terrorism Schools in France,” asserts: “The Thorez Government, the flag-bearer and, perhaps, the slave of the Slavic Moloch, is mobilising guerrillas against Spain while organising a war which would turn over the south-western part of Europe to Moscow.” Reuter’s correspondent in Madrid reports that the arrest of 27 “Spanish Republican saboteurs” has led to allegations here that they are part of a group of 40 armed Spanish “Maquisards” who are said to have entered Spain after receiving commando training in guerrilla warfare and sabotage in special schools in France. The group of 40, of whom 13 are still at large, was allegedly supplied with arms and ammunition from a secret dump on the Spanish side of the frontier and later split up into two smaller parties in an effort to evade the Spanish civil guards hunting for them. French Communists Accused The British Government has received a Note from Spain drawing attention to a campaign which it alleges is now proceeding in France against Spain. The Note claims that French Communists are organising a campaign of terrorism against Spain. The French Foreign Secretary, M. Bidault, to-day handed the third French Note on Spain to the British Ambassador, Mr. Duff-Cooper, says Reuter’s correspondent in Paris. It asks, it is believed, for reconsideration of Britain's attitude over the French proposal to bring Spain before the UNO. The Associated Press correspondent in Lisbon says that, despite pressure by General Franco to have him removed from Portugal, the Spanish Pretender, Don Juan, has had his permit extended for a further six months’ stay. Don Juan's spokesman said: “We know that General Franco has been putting pressure on Portugal against Don Juan’s presence here—put Portugal is a free country.”