MADRID MURDERS

Grey River Argus, 10 August 1937, Page 5

MADRID MURDERS

LAST DESCENDANT Of Columbus STORY OF HIS END. fAust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Received August 8, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 7. The Milan correspondent of “The Times” says: The murder was perpetrated at Madrid, some time ago, of Cristobal Colon, the aged Duke of Veragua, who was the last descendant of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America. The story of the murder is now revealed. The Duke did not meddle in politics, and, in view of this fact, the Spanish Minister, Senor Del Vayo, assured the Ambassadors of Chile and of the Argentine, who regarded him as a sacred figure, that he was perfectly safe. One of his dependents, however, Ramirez El Cojo, the selfappointed leader of a marauding band, broke into the Duke’s palace and carried off Cristobal Colon, along with the Marquis Aguila Fuente. The Ambassadors then enlisted Senor Del Vayo’s aid, but it was in vain. Eventually, the Argentine Ambassador’s typist ascertained that the Duke and the Marquis were prisoners at the former Convent of San Domestice. The Government gave the Ambassadors an order for the release of the Duke. El Cojo told them to return on the next day.

In the meanwhile, El Cojo, while pretending that it would save the Duke’s life, compelled Colon to sign a will, bequeathing to El Cojo his estate. El Cojo then bundled the Duke and the Marquis on to a motor-car, and he shot both of them dead in the forest of Bosco Del Pardo. Religion in Madrid PRACTISE TO BE LICENSED. AND TO BE PRIVATE. MADRID, August 8. The Government decided to permit the practice of the Catholic religion in private, for which it is granting licenses to a large number of priests, enabling thousands of couples to remarry, many of whom were married at the front by officers, also a large number of babies will be baptised and graves blessed. The re-opening of the church will be slow as many are being used at present as Government storehouses.

Aerial Battle 4 OVER SANTANDER. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LISBON, August 8. An air battle occurred over Santander between insurgent planes, scattering. Franco’s appeals to surrender, and Government machines, twelve of which are claimed by the insurgents to have been shot down. MOORISH LEADER. VISITS INSURGENT FORCES. SALAMANCA, August 8. Bearing gifts and greetings from his brother, the “Blue Sultan” of Ifni the Morrish Prince, Sini Mahomet Liman, called on General Franco. The visit is regarded as an event of some significance, since the Ifni tribe has hitherto maintained a markedly troublesome attitude and independence, and it is considered to be fruits of Franco’s policy in treating Moroccan territories as not merely valuable, but vital adjuncts of Spain. Ifni proved valuable to Franco as 'in air base, and may become the station of the all-Spanish air route from Canarrias to South America. Liman plans to visit all the Ifni contingents in Franco’s native army in Spain, of which the Ifni sharpshooters are a crack contingent. Liman swore tribal fidelity to Franco who promised better conditions. bombing of ships. ALGIERS, August 8. Herr Bruin, Dutch Non-Interven-tion observer aboard the Mongioia, reports that a rebel three-engined seaplane dropped bombs, the second of which fell close to the hull, lifted the vessel like a cork, buckled the plates, twisted the rails, knocked holes in the hull, tore up the engine-room floor, and wrenched the engine from its bed. . The body of Captain Solari was sent to Italy. An un-named Greek steamer . was attacked at almost the same spot as the British Corporal, by a plane bearing the same markings. Two bombs were dropped, but the vessel was not hit. . All the vessels leaving Algerian ports will be escorted either by aircraft or warship. INSURGENTS DENY DOING IT. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l SALAMANCA, August 8. Franco’s headquarters deny that planes bombed foreign ships near the African coast. They state that no insurgent machines have ever flown over the area indicated. GOVERNMENT CHARGE. VALENCIA, August 8. The defence Minister announces the Government received evidence of a sailor on the German warship Leipzig whose name is withheld, indicating that the commanders were prepared to stage a torpedo attack themselves, in order to be able, to accuse Spain’ They abandoned the idea owing to the risk, but nevertheless made the accusation though no attack occurred. Government Ship ARRESTED BY FRENCH authorities. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, August 6. The Bordeaux correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states .that when French officials approached the Spanish Government steamer Arnomendi to serve a writ of attachment, issued at the instance of the Bank of Bilbao, the crew refused to allow them on board, and placed the Republican flag on the gangway. The flag was eventually removed in a theatrical manner, bufc in accordance with law by a white-gloved gendarmerie officer, who saluted and

presented the point of his sword to the offending flag. Meanwhile the crew sang the “Internationale” and the “Red Flag.” These formalities completed, French artificers removed an essential piece of machinery in order to prevent the ship sailing. NON-INTERVENTION FINANCE. RUGBY, August 7. Besides Britain, the other Powers, parties to the Non-Intervention agreement who have paid all contributions are: Albania, Belgian, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Irish Free State, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. RUGBY, August 6. Although Lord Plymouth was injured in a taxi-cab accident in London last night, he presided at this afternoon’s meeting of the Non-inter-vention Sub-committee. His head was cut over the right eye, but after ne received attention at Westminster Hospital, where several stitches were put in the w.ound, he was able to proceed home.