Huge Munition Shipments From U.S.A.

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 5, 7 January 1937, Page 7

Huge Munition Shipments From U.S.A.

Frantic Efforts to Prevent Them CONGRESS RUSHING EMBARGO THROUGH United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 10.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 5. Chairman Pittman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced that he would introduce to-morrow a joint resolution prohibiting the shipment of arms and implements of war to Spain. Developments of Congress plans for a neutrality resolution were speeded up when it was learned to-night that 18 aeroplanes, 500 engines and enough parts for 250 more were already being loaded ou the Spanish steamship Mar Cantabirco in New York harbour, an export license for which had been granted to Mr. Cuse. President Roosevelt, Senator Pittman, Mr. Mcßevnolds and the actingSecretary for State (Mr. Moore) held a conference at Wbito House at which it was agreed that the resolution authorising the President to place an embargo on all arms shipments to Spain should, be passed by both Houses which would suspend the rules ou Wednesday and the matter would then only take a few minutes. It would thus make the resolution effective immediately. Advices from tho State Department indicate that it is impossible to complete loading before Wednesday afternoon. Officials explained that if the ship were already under way navy coastguards would be sent to halt her provided she was yet within United States jurisdiction. Officials are gravely concerned and determined to act quickly because they realise that the shipment if allowed will put the Government in a most unfavourabe light with Britain. France and other European Powers seeking a means, | to halt the conflict in Spain. Investigation of the activities of Cuse disclosed an effort to get the planes out of the country before Congress could act. The force of mechanics at the Vimilert plant has been increased and they are working day and night in shifts. The first crated plane was placed aboard the ship on Tuesday morning. Another complication is the announcement that tho State Department was forced to issue 19 export licenses to Richard Dineley, a San Francisco munitions dealer, to ship aeroplanes, machineguns and 40,000,000 rounds of ammunition to the Madrid Government through the port of Y'alcncia, but officials are most concerned over the Cuse shipments duo to the fact that it would be impossible for Dineley’s to be ready in time to escape the embargo. Desperate Fighting Near Madrid GAINS BY BOTH SIDES. NO DANGER TO THE EAST. MADRID, Jan. 5. A day’s desporato fighting in the north-west of Madrid resulted in an insurgent gain of five miles. The rebels claim that the enemy were routed, but the loyalists at least prevented them from breaking through. The Madrid correspondent of Tho Times reports that all danger to Madrid 'from the eastwards has now. been re^

moved. Loyalist columns operating along the roads to Saragossa and to Soria have captured aerodromes at Villaseca and Castejon, and have secured control of the whole of the Atienza district, the wheat and the cattle from which should relieve the capital’s food problems. British Cabinet Reassembling FOREIGN SITUATION WILL OCCUPY FIRST MEETING (British Official Wireless.) Received Wednesday, 7.30 p.m. RUGBY, Jan. 5. Most of the members of Cabinet will have returned to London by next week. The Prime Minister is expected back on Friday and Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has been in Franco, is on his way back. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Sir Samuel Hoare) has already been in town and in close touch with the Foreign Minister (Mr. Anthony Eden). When Parliament resumes there will be no further long break until July. A short interval will occur at Easter and Whitsuntide. The first meeting of Cabinet will be held next week. It is expected Ministers will devote a good deal of their time to the consideration of the foreign situation.