GENERAL CABLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 March 1944, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES

UNITED STATES AND SPAIN New York, March 9—The United Stales is on the verge of reaching an agreement with Spain under which the oil embargo will be lifted in return for a Spanish promise to halt tungsten exports to Germany, close the Tangier German consulate, and other concessions, reports the “Herald Tribune’s” Washington correspondent. The United States is reported to have agreed to submit the disposition of seven Italian warships interned in the Balearic Islands to neutral arbitration, while Spain conceded the release of 12 of 14 Italian merchantmen interned in Spanish ports. Moreover, Spain is reported to have promised to liquidate the Blue Division at present fighting against the Russians. However, it is understood that individual members may be incorporated in the German Army.

Crash of Transport Plane Sydney, March 9.—A minute after the propel lor broke from the starboard engine of their transport plane and ripped through the wing 17 Allied airforcemcn parachuted into wild mountainous country near Laguna, New South Wales. Two men were killed instantly when their parachutes failed to open. The plane travelled six miles after the propeller broke away and made a crash landing. Five airforcemen who remained in the plape were uninjured. The plane was travelling from New Guinea to Sydney with 22 airforcemen, most of whom were on leave. Some were playing cards when they heard the crash of the propeller and the ripping sound of metal tearing from the wing. They quickly responded to orders to don parachutes and jump from the plane, which lost altitude quickly. Most of the men had not jumped before. Three injured men were admitted to hospital.

Smuggled Refugees Arrested New York, March 9—For violating Geneva Conventions the Germans have ai rested half the French Red Cross officials and personnel and deported them •‘Sr« COn S? ntrati . on cam P s » reports the New York Times ’ Stockholm correspondent. They were arrested on an invented charge that they were compromised in black market operations of Spanish oranges. The real charge, however, is that they used Red Cross vehicles to smuggle thousands of French refugees into Spain to escape doing forced labour for the Germans. Currency Problem

Ottawa, March B.—“ Those who look for a return to the gold standard after the war are day-dreaming,” said Doctor W. C. Clark, Deputy Finanuce Minister, addressing the House of Commons reconstruction committee. Referring to the British-American-Canadian international currency stabilisation scheme, Dr. Clark said there had been criticism of it, but some method of avoiding the dangers of currency depreciation and agreements between trading countries should be found. Unless there was an international arrangement the dangers of the 1930’s would recur. Beatrix Potter Dead

London, March B—The death is reported of Beatrix Potter (Mrs Helerf Heelis), author of the Peter Rabbit children’s books. She left £211,636 sterling.