EUROPEAN TENSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 January 1939, Page 7

EUROPEAN TENSION

MARKED HEIGHTENING

' SUCCESS OF FRANCO’S DRIVE FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER’S INTENDED SPEECH DELAY URGED BY BRITAIN fU.P A.-B.v Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 25th January. 11.40 a.m.) LONDON. 24th January. The Australian Associated Press says that the sudden success of General Franco’s drive to Barcelona is resulting in a marked heightening of European tension. It is learned that Britain has endeavoured to persuade M. Bonnet, Foreign Minister, to delay the speech he intended making to-night. | It is believed very likely that M. Bonnet will agree to withhold for j two days the speech which is expected lo have a most important influence on the threatened crisis. French and British Socialists are combining to exert the utmost pressure for assistance to Government Spain. It is considered most undesirable that M. Bonnet should commit France to any policy before the position in Barcelona is clarified. It is learned that suggestions that France will seize Minorca if the Italians do not relire from Spain is not merely idle gossip. The question of Minorca’s future was raised by the French during recent talks between England and Franco. SPEECH DELAYED (Received 25th January, 1.35 p.m.) PARIS, 24th January. M. Bonnet is not speaking before Thursday.