ARMY OF 500,000

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22518, 8 September 1936, Page 9

ARMY OF 500,000

NEW CABINET'S EFFORT THE EMBARGO ON ARMS POWERS URGED TO RAISE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 7, 0.15 p.m.) Times Cablo LONDON, Sept. 7 The Madrid correspondent of the Times says the new Spanish Government boldly faces the tremendous task of raising and equipping an army of 500,000 men with modern armament, especially aerial. This can be achieved slowly if Spain is compelled to rely upon her own resources, and rapidly if the arms embargo is raised. With the object of having the embargo lifted, the Cabinet is doing: its utmost to press its case in the proper quarters abroad. The Spanish Ambassador in Paris is making every effort, and the new Ambassador in London, Senor Pablo do Azcarate, will plead Spain's cause in this country.

SIEGE OF TOLEDO CASTLE BEING MINED PEOPLE URGED TO SURRENDER MADRID, Sept. 6 Government troops are preparing to blow up the Alcazar (an ancient castle) at Toledo, and are mining under the foundations. They will use enough high explosives to complete the operation in one blast. The •Government has invited the 1200 people who are besieged in Toledo to surrender, promising to spare their lives if they will come out unarmed. The ancient castle and fortress of Alcazar is reached by a winding street from Toledo Cathedral. It was for centuries a royal residence, and was remodelled in 1537 by King Charles V. The building still shows his work, although it has been partly destroyed by fire on three occasions.

NON-INTERVENTION

PROPOSED COMMITTEE NO REPLY FROM PORTUGAL British Wireless RUGBY, Sept. 6 No reply lias been received from the Portugueso Government to the representations made in Lisbon regarding the international committee to act as a clearing house in connection with the non-intervention agreement in Spain. Details as to the character and scope of the proposed committee were given, which it is hoped will prove satisfactory. It is still the desire of the British Government to see a committee established and a meeting in London early this week. FRENCH POLICY M. BLUM STANDS FIRM LEFT WING RESISTED PABIB, Sept. 6 The Prime Minister, M. Blum, who is firmly resisting the Left Wing's clamour for intervention in Spain, told a mass meeting of thousands of people he was aware that the maintenance of the Spanish republic guaranteed French security on her southern frontiers and her North African communications, but the non-intervention agreement which bore, among others, Russia's signature, must not be repudiated. M. Blum said he would never tolerate inciting conflict nor admit that war was inevitable in spite of the Left Wing's attacks on his policy.

TRAIN BLOWN UP MANY REBELS KILLED YOUTH LEADS MILITIA MADRID, Sept. 6 Militia from Malaga, led by Francisco Villodres, aged 19, mined a bridge and blew up a train carrying insurgent reinforcements to Granada. Many of the rebels were killed in the explosion. The remainder were put to death with hand-grenades. Villodres was severely wounded and died in hospital.