SPAIN'S WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 9

SPAIN'S WAR

neutrality act 100PHOLE IN AMERICA 'AIRCRAFT SHIPMENT TEMBARGO RESOLUTION CONGRESS HASTENING Bv Tflnrrapli—Press Association—Copyright (Received January fi. T. 2.', p.m.) WASHINGTON. Jan. 5 Congress met to-day. Mr. W. B. Bank-head was re-elected Speaker of the House of Representatives by 323 votes to S4 for Mr. 15. 11. Snell, who automatically becomes minority leader. The chairman of the Foreign delations Committee of the Senate, Mr.- K. Pittman, announced that he would introduce to-morrow a joint resolution to prohibit the shipment of arms and implements of war to Spain The plans in connection with this amendment of the Neutrality Act were speeded up when it was learned that 18 aeroplanes. 500 engines and enough parts for 250 more engines, were already being loaded on the Spanish steamer -Mar Cantabirco in New York Harbour, the export licence for which was granted recently to the Viinalert Company and Mr. Cusp. Quick Action Deemed Essential President Roosevelt called Messrs. S. D. Pittman and Mcßeynolds and the Acting Secretary of State, Mr. R. W. Moore, .to a conference at White House, when it was agreed that the resolution authorising the President to place an embargo on all arms shipments to Spain be passed by both Houses after the suspension of the rules to-morrow, which will take only a few minutes and make the amendment effective immediately. Advices received by the State Department indicate that it will be impossible to complete the loading of the vessel before to-morrow afternoon. Officials explain that if the ship is already under way a warship and a coastguard vessel will bo sent to stop it, provided that it is yet within jurisdiction of the United States. Officials are gravely concerned and are determined to act quickly because they realise that if the shipment is allowed it will put tho Government in a most unfavourable light with Britain, France and other European Powers which are seeking means to stop the conflict in Spain. Another Complication Arises An investigation of the activities of Mr. Cuse disclosed the fact that he is making an effort to get the aeroplanes out of the country before Congress can act. The force of mechanics at the Vimalert Company's plant, has been great/y increased and they are working day and night shifts. «. The first crated aeroplane was placed on board the ship this morning. Another complication is an announcement by the State Department that it was forced to issue 19 export licences to Richard Dineley, of San Francisco, a munitions dealer, to ship aeroplanes, machine-guns and 40,000,000 rounds of ammunition to the Spanish Government at Valencia. However, the officials are most concerned about Mr. Cuse's shipment, owing to the fact that it will be impossible for Mr. Dinelev's to be ready in. time to escape the embargo. The proposal to amend the Neutrality Act follows a recent announcement that a loophole in the Act—namely the omission of civil wars in the text had compelled the authorities to issue licences to the Vimalert Company for the export of aeroplanes and engines to the Spanish Government. Ihe sponsors of the proposed legislation are confident that action will be taken to nullify the export licences issued. President Roosevelt strongly denounced the Vimalert Company's move in taking advantage of a loophole in the Neutrality Act. He said the company's action was perfectly legal, but thoroughly unpatriotic and unethical. BRITISH SEAMEN EXTRA PAY GRANTED DUTY IN SPANISH WATERS (Received January 6, 5.55 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5 Efforts by the National Union of Seamen have resulted in the owners of the steamers McGregor and Lilburn, now at Cardiff, agreeing to pay 50 per cent extra in wages to the crews while the ships are in Spanish waters. The crews had refused to sail unless this increase were given. Constants (South Wales) Limited, which owns 17 steamers trading to Spain, has agreed to make a similar concession. FIERCE FIGHTING INSURGENTS AT BAY LOYALISTS* FOOD SUPPLIES Times Cable LONDON, Jan. 5 Despatches from Spain state that fierce fighting continues round Madrid. The rebels claim to have captured the strategic town of Las Rozas. A day of desperate fighting northwest of Madrid resulted in the insurgents gaining five miles. They claim that the enemy was routed, but the loyalists at least prevented them from breaking through. The Madrid correspondent of tho Times gays all danger to Madrid from the east has been removed. Loyalist .columns, operating along the roads to Saragossa and to Soria, captured aerodromes at Villaseca and Catte Jon, and the whole of the wheat crop and cattlo 111 the Atienza district, which should relieve the capital's food problems. RUSSIAN VESSEL RELEASE BY REBELS (Received January 6, 6.15 p.m.) MADRID, Jan. fi The insurgents have released the Russian steamer Komiles, ■qhich they •®ieed ami took to Ceuta yesterday,