FRANCO’S ARMY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 14 January 1937, Page 7

FRANCO’S ARMY

LACK OF ORGANISATION

REPORT TO HERR HITLER

80,000 GERMAN TROOPS NEEDED

(Uuitecl Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright;

(Received 14th January, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, 13th January

The “News-Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says: “I am able to reveal the chief points in the report to Herr Hitler from General Faupel, the German Charge D’Affaires at Burgos. General Faupel criticises the jealousies and intrigues in General Franco s headquarters and the lack of organisation. He considers that the bulk of popular opinion is hostile to the rebels. In view of this a minimum of 80,000 Germans is necessary to ensure victory. He suggests that the dispatch of these troops should be subject to the condition that the direction of the military operations be placed in the hands of a German-Italian general staff. General Faupel also suggests that German troops be maintained in Spain after General Franco’s victory.”

FIGHT FOR MADRID PREPARING FOR NEXT ATTACK FOG HAMPERS OPERATIONS (Received 14th January, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, 13th January. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Madrid correspondent says the revolutionaries are resting after last week’s offensive and are bringing up reinforcements for the next attack. Dense fog hampered to-day’s operations. Eighteen Russian tanks led the loyalists’ counter-attack near Las Rozas, twelve miles north-west of Madrid, but the infantry melted away and failed to support them and the coun-ter-attack failed.

VALENCIA BOMBED SEVERAL PEOPLE KILLED AND WOUNDED A HOUSE DEMOLISHED VALENCIA, 13th January.

Insurgent warships shelled Valencia, killing eight and wounding- ten. Coastal batteries immediately replied and the exchange of shots lasted for 20 minutes. One shell hit and demolished a house, killing a man, his wife and son.

BOMBING OF EMBASSY DENIAL BY GENERAL FRANCO GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT BLAMED (Received 14th January, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, 13th January. General Franco replied to the protest against the bombing of the British Embassy at Madrid. The Note denies that insurgent aircraft participated, and blames the Government again. He assorts his intention to respect the safety zone in the capital.

BRITISH STEAMER STOPPED

CAPTAIN QUESTIONED AND ALLOWED TO PROCEED GIBRALTAR, 13th January. The British steamer Bramhill was stopped by insurgent trawlers in the Straits of Gibraltar. The captain was questioned and allowed to proceed.

FIRED AT BY ARMED TRAWLER (British Official Wireless) (Received 14th January, 12.10 p.m.) RUGBY, 13th January.

The British ship Bramhill, of Cardiff, on the voyage from Gibraltar to Bilbao, was fired at off Cape Tarifa by the Spanish armed trawler Larache, and on slowing up was questioned as to its destination and cargo. Evidence points to the Bramhill having been interferred with outside territorial waters. In accordance with instructions issued to British shipping the captain wirelessed for assistance and on the approach of a British cruiser the Spanish trawler made off. The boarding officer from the cruiser examined the ship’s papers, which were in order, and showed she carried a general cargo of .olive oil, rice, wheat, fruit, and wines. The Bramhill was told to proceed.

MARTA JUNQUERA’S CREW

SANTANDER, 12th January.

The commander of the Koenigberg has telegraphed to the Governor of San Sebastian that he will disembark the captain and crew of the Marta Junquera at Port Lastres, near Gijon. The Governor repeated his protest at the seizure of the steamer and demanded her return, but the Koenigsberg did not reply.

NON-INTERVENTION

REPLY FROM SPAIN POSTPONED

AWAITING FRANCO’S STATEMENT LONDON, 12th January. The communique issued after the meeting of the Non-Intervention Subcommittee states that the Spanish Government’s reply to the plan for supervision of the land and sea frontiers of Spain and her dependencies was considered and postponed until a reply was received from General Franco. The replies from the Governments showed that almost the whole of the funds required to finance the proposed supervision scheme were already promised. The sub-committee decided to draw up a statement defining the issue as regards volunteers, which statement the representatives agreed to refer to their Governments in order to get a uniform presentation of views. A similar course was adopted regarding financial aid to the warring parties, j The Sub-Committee adjourned until the 18th inst. • The British Cabinet is meeting on the 14th inst., when the diplomatic situation will be reviewed. TROTSKY’S CRITICISM

SOVIET AID TO SPAIN MEXICO CITY. 13th January. The Russian exile, M. Leon Trotsky, in an interview, charged M. Stalin with sending onlv onourh Soviet help to the Spanish Government to salve the feelings of the labourers of the world and to avoid offending the French bourgeoise.

THE PRICE OF A PEDIGREE Sonny would not part with the puppy, but would trade the dog’s long pedigree for a bottle of “PRICE’S” Fruit Extract, deliciously flavoured Orange, Lemon. Limes, Grape-Fruit, Raspberry. Like all children, he loves it. Your grocer sells it in 1/- bottles to make 3 gallons. Insist on PRICE’S.”