DIRE THREAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22583, 23 November 1936, Page 9

DIRE THREAT

REBEL LEADER , MUNITIONS FOR SPAIN SUPPLIES FROM SOVIET SHIPS TO BE SUNK [BAECELONA BLOCKADE Telecraph—Tress Association—Copyright (Rei eiverf" November 02, 5.."> p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 21 According to a wireless report •from Teneriffe the leader of the Spanish rebels, General Franco, has issued a new warning to France and Bussia that he will destroy all ships taking arms Hi Spain. Simultaneously tho Barcelona radio station announced that Russian freighters were discharging abundant supplies at that port. The rebels' broadcast threat to destroy ships carrying arms has not yet reached the Russian and French Governments. A further broadcast announced that a neutral zone would not he established at Barcelona for foreign vessels General Franco has notified Whitehall that he has extended the safety zone in Madrid to include tho British and other embassies. It is reported that the rebels have Bunk another Spanish merchantman off the Catalan coast. According to the diplomatic correspondent of the Morning Post General Franco's decision to blockade Barcelona was made with the full knowledge of the German and Italian Governments, who timed their recognition of his Government to coincide with his declaration. The reason for the joint action, says the correspondent, is that an important shipment of Russian munitions is en route to Barcelona, and the three Governments are determined to prevent its arrival. Both Italy and Germany have already accepted the legitimacy of the blockade, thus making it more difficult for others to raise objections. Mr. Eden's statement in the House of Commons is taken to indicate that seizure and search of a British ship outside the three-mile limit would not be tolerated.

For the maintenance of his proposed blockade General Franco has eight warships, including two gunboats, one cruiser, and two destroyers, none of ■which ate near Barcelona. 'lhe loyalists possess 16 warships, including two submarines, but they lack trained officers RECRUITS FOR REBELS PARTY OF IRISHMEN GENERAL O'DUFFY LEADER (Received November 22. 6.5 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 21 The Dublin correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company states that 40 Irishmen, mostly ex-servicemen, including two doctors, headed by General O'Duffy, sailed from Liverpool en route to Spain to fight with General Franco's forces. General O'Duffy, in a message to the Irish people, said: "Our motive is simplo and our object definite. Our motive is born of Christianity and our object is the defence of Christianity."

AID FOR LOYALISTS AMERICAN AIRMEN ACOSTA AT VALENCIA (Received November 22, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 21 Friends of the airman Bert Acosta report his arrival at Valencia, 'where he intends to enter the loyalists' air force with Major Fred Lord, of New York, who is credited with having brought down 22 German aeroplanes when in the service of the British in the Great War. The fliers are to receive 300 dollars a week. HORRORS OF WAR EFFORT TO MITIGATE DELEGATION FROM BRITAIN LONDON, Nov. 20 A delegation representing all the parties in the House of Commons is going to Madrid immediately. It consists of Mr. F. S. Cocks (LabourNotts), Mr. W. P. Greene (Conservative—Worcester), Mr. D. It. Grenfell (Labour —Glamorgan), Captain Macnamnra (Conservative —Essex), Mr. Wilfred Roberts (Labour —Cumberland) and Wing-Commander James (Conservative—Northants). 'I he harl of Kinnoul will also bo in the party. The delegation will visit the Spanish capital in order to gain personal information and use all the influence possible as neutrals to mitigate the horrors and Bufferings which have characterised the Spanish conflict. A telegram signed by a number of members of Parliament and others, including Mr. Geoffrey Mander, Mr. Wilfrid Roberts, Mr. D. N. Pritt, Mr. Aldous Huxley and Miss Rose Macaulay, has been sent to Madrid, it states that public opinion in Britain is horrified by the criminal bombardment of Madrid. ON WAY TO SPAIN GERMAN TORPEDO-BOATS (Received November 22. 7.5 p.m.) BREST, Nov. 21 Four German torpedo-boats aro en route to Spain to relieve German vessels already there. GERMAN RECOGNITION REBEL LEADER GRATEFUL (Received November 22, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, Nov. 21 General Fianco has telegraphed to Herr Hitler expressing bis deep gratitude for Germany's recognition.