SPANISH REBEL GAINS

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1938, Page 5

SPANISH REBEL GAINS

WITHDRAWAL ISSUE

A Russian Obstacle

ITALIAN WITHDRAWALS PROCEEDING. LONDON PAPER’S STATEMENT. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 8. The “Star’s” political correspondent supports assertions that Signor Mussolini is tired of the Spanish enterprise, and is preparing to leave the country, lock, stock, and barrel. He has been withdrawing troops, as he regards General Franco as a failure, being too monarchial. The paper add's: The last straw is the German changes, and the possibility of a threat to Austria. WITHDRAWAL NEGOTIATIONS. SPEEDING UP MOVE. LONDON, February 8. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says that Lord Plymouth conferred with Mr Corbin, Count Grandi, and M. Maisky. It is understood that they discussed the possibility of accelerating the thusfar tedious process towards the withdrawal of volunteers from Spain when messages from both sides indicated willingness to dispense with auxiliaries. The Non-Intervention Committee was working on the assumption that there will be 100,000 to evacuate, although this number may possibly be reduced by fastages. The conferences resulted in the decision that no useful purpose ✓ould be served by the Committee meeting as soon as February 11, as was contemplated.

Russia) Resisting

ON NON-INTERVENTION COMMITTEE. ITALY MORE CONCILIATORY. (Received February 9, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 9. The “Daily Mail’s” diplomatic correspondent says that Russia is again wrecking the progress of the NonIntervention Committee. Russia is insisting on the withdrawal of seventy-five per cent, of the volunteers before she will agree to the granting to the Spaniards of belligerent rights; whereas England and France are both prepared to agree to belligerent rights being accorded both to the Loyalists and the insurgents when sixty-five per cent, of the volunteers have been withdrawn; and Italy has agreed to the granting of belligerent rights when fifty per cent, of the volunteers are withdrawn. Italy is agreeable, moreover to leave the decision as to the granting of belligerent rights to the Commission. This is an advance on Italy’s previous attitude.

Withdrawal of Foreigners

ITALY’S WILLINGNESS. RUGBY, February 8. A meeting of the Non-Intervention Committee will be held on Friday, when the main business will be to approve the plans, now virtually complete, for the withdrawal from Spain of non-Spanish combatants. It is reported that Italy is now ready to cooperate in expediting this.

Attacks on British Ships

BRITISH PRESS COMMENT. ON NOTE TO FRANCO. (British Official Wireless). 1 RUGBY, February 8. The stern warning which has been given to the Salamanca authorities, that Britain will take retaliatory measures if there are any more attempts on British shipping in the Mediterranean, has been warmly welcomed by the entire press. “The Times” says: “This plain speaking should procure the desired effect.” “The Times” also observes with pleasure the promptness with which Italy has associated herself with the present British action. FRANCO’S DENIAL. SAYS GOVERNMENT FORCES ARE RESPONSIBLE. LONDON, February 8. “The Times”'Hendaye correspondent says: Broadcasting from Salamanca in reference to Mr Eden’s statement, General Franco denied that the rebels torpedoed British ships. He expressed the opinion that the Republicans are responsible, as, owing to their military defeat, their only exit from the difficult situation was to provoke an international war. General Franco added: “If any responsible government exists in Spain it should be considered belligerent. If not, Mr Eden’s declaration is incomprehensible. We do not doubt the power of the British Navy, because we saw it exercised during the northern blockade, but we cannot believe that it will display its strength against a country suffering from internal conflict.” GERMAN CONDEMNATION. OF BRITISH NOTE TO FRANCO. LONDON, February 8. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says: The German newspapers continue their chorus of violent disapproval of Britain’s warning Note to General Franco, especially resenting its. reference to piracy, which the “Lokal Anzeiger” characterises as provocatively misleading. Other papers condemn the “poisonous seeds Mr Eden has sown,’-’ and his open support of Bolshevism. The “Hahburger Fremdenblatt” declares that the British attitude reflects a brutal indifference and an intention to exact the right of the strong, in accordance with the song “Rule Brittania.” ANTI-PIRACY PATROL, ITALY’S O-OPERATION LONDON, February 8. Italy’s ready decision to apply

measures for strengthening the Nyon agreement has caused satisfaction iP official circles in. London. BRITISH VESSEL’S SOS. CARGO FROM RUSSIA FOR BARCELONA. LONDON, February 8. The British steamer Peckham, bound from Odessa to Barcelona, sent a wireless SOS, stating that she was being followed by warplanes off the Spanish coast. The “Daily Mail’s” Marseilles correspondent understands that British warships have been ordered to protect the steamer Peckham. BRITISH CLAIM ON FRANCO’S GOVERNMENT. FOR DAMAGED DESTROYER. LONDON, February 8. The Government informed the Salamanca authorities that the claim respecting His Majesty’s ship Hunter, originally £70,000, will probably rise to £134,500. FRENCH AID TO LOYALISTS. LARGE FORCES ALLEGED. LONDON, February 8. Signor Gayda, in the “Giornale d’ltalia” lengthily writes to show that France is pouring into Spain men and materials to help the Government forces. ' INSURGENTS’ VICTORY. 230 SQUARE MILES TAKEN. FIVE GOVERNMENT DIVISIONS LOST. SARAGOSSA, February 8. The battle of Alfambra Valley is regarded as having culminated in a resounding victory for General Franco. It is claimed that the insurgents captured 230 square miles, twenty villages, and 145 fortified positions, and wiped out five divisions. GOVERNMENT SUCCESS. BARCELONA, February 8. The Loyalists report successes In Andalusia, including a direct menace to Granada. One thousand rebels were killed. GOVERNMENT LOSSES. INSURGENT ESTIMATE. SARAGOSSA, February 8. The Government losses at Teruel, since the beginning of the fighting, are estimated at 50,000 to 70,000 men. The insurgents claim to have lost less than one-twentieth of this number. AIR RAIDS ON BARCELONA. BARCELONA, February 8. The Mayor of Barcelona says that the rebels’ air raids, since the . beginning of February, have killed 412 women and 30 children, of the 922 slaughtered.

Anglo-Italian Relations

OVERTURES FOR UNDERSTANDING. BRITISH HOPES. OF AGREEMENT WITH ITALY. LAus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 8. Satisfaction has been given to London circles by Italy’s willingness to strengthen the measures under the Nyon agreement for patrols in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also learned that there have already been hopeful conversations between Mr Eden and the Italian Ambassador on the Spanish question and it is understood that the British Government is anxious to make further progress in this respect, during the present week. If unity of purpose and action of the two Governments on the Spanish issue can be achieved, then the prospects of a general understanding between Rome asd London will automatically prove-ANGLO-ITALIAN AGREEMENT. SPANISH ISSUE THE ONLY OBSTACLE. \ (Received February 9, 7 p.m.) LONDON, February 9. “The Times” diplomatic correspondent says: The Spanish issue is taking precedence of all the other issues affecting English and Italian relations. If they become agreed on that subject, then the chances of the two Governments resuming talks for a general understanding would automatically improve. ITALIAN SUSPICIONS. ANGLO-ITALIAN AGREEMENT SCOUTED. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 8, “The Times” Rome correspondent says: fllie Italian newspapers comment editorially on the possibility of an improvement in Anglo-Italian relations. They suggest scepticism regarding an agreement. This impression is confirmed by Dr. Gayda, on the front page of the “Giornale d’ltalia,” in four columns, purporting to show that France is pouring men and material into-Spain to help the Republicans, every line whereof is an argument for the maintenance of Italian support of Franco The Milan “Ambrosiana,”- which is closely In association with official circles, expresses the opinion regarding Mr Eden’s speech that “We must Stand by Franco. The only means of ensuring Mediterranean security is to give Franco full belligerent rights.”