SPY NETWORK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 21, 23 December 1938, Page 7

SPY NETWORK.

SPANISH DISCOVERY. SEQUEL TO BAG MYSTERY. Received December 23, 10.10 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 22. Diplomatic circles state that the report has been confirmed that General Franco’s maps, which were found in a hag sent by Mr Goodman (British Vice-Consul at San Sebastian), contained not only military information that had strayed from the Nationalist Command. One of General Franco’s officers went over to the Republicans, taking most of the plans of the Catalonian offensive, which was consequently postponed at the eleventh hour. The extent of the arrests of Nationalist officers, which are reported to have taken place recently, are believed to have been over-stated, though the restiveness of General Franco’s staff is accepted. HONORARY VICE-CONSUL. The Australian Associated i'ress has learned that none or the Consulate officers implicated m the ban Sebastian bag mystery is a paid member of the service. Air Goodman, who has been a British resident of Spain for many years, acts in an honorary capacity. He was granted certain special allowances after the outbreak of the war. There is no confirmation of the reported arrests by the Nationalists ql a Briton, Air Ernest Golding, who is replacing Air Goodman and the British messenger, Air Rattenbury. Neither is immune from arrest.. Air Golding is classed as a “Pro Consul,” which is the lowest Consulate grading. Two prominent French officials at San Sebastian have been arrested. A rebel Foreign Office statement declares that the Consular bag had been a regular channel for spy communications, and thanks Britain for her- assistance after the discovery. The Nationalists deny the military revolts, but admit the discovery of a vast spy network. It is believed that the official report suggests, that ihe statements from the Hehdaye correspondents were not exaggerated and that there were probably at least 1500 arrests, including a number of higlily-placed officials.

WAR WEARINESS. INTERFERENCE RESENTED. “SPAIN FOR SPANIARDS.” LONDON, Dec. 21. The Hendaye correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that there is growing war weariness and resentment at intereference by Italian and German staff officers in domestic affairs. Tlie slogan, “Spain for the Spaniards” is increasingly heard. There wore 200 arrests made at San Sebastian, and these arose largely from anti-Italian feeling leading to the wounding of the secretary of the Italian Consulate.