SPANISH REBELS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22722, 7 May 1937, Page 11

SPANISH REBELS

SUPPORT REAFFIRMED

ITALY AND GERMANY determined on settlement By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 6, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 6 Hie News Chronicle's Home correspondent reports that Signor Mussolini and Baron von Neurath reaffirmed their support of General Franco, and agreed, firstly, that any new discussions for a European security pact must be subordinated to a settlement of the Spanish crisis, and, secondly, that any new pact must be drawn up outside the League of Nations. The Daily Telegraph's Berlin correspondent understands that Signor Mussolini and .Baron von Neurath discussed a joint measure by Italy and Germany to counter the British support of "blockade breaking" at Bilbao. THREE-YEAR-OLD PLOT RESTORING OF MONARCHY ITALIAN SUPPORT ALLEGED (Received May 0, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 5 A document which allegedly discloses that Signor Mussolini three years ago promised to assist to overthrow the Spanish Government with the view to the substitution of a regency in preparation for the restoration of the monarchy is reported to have been found in Madrid. The document, which is written on the notepaper of the Quirinal Hotel, Rome, and is dated March 31, 1934, is in the handwriting of Don Antonio Gaicoechea, chief of the monarchist Renovacion Espanola. It is alleged that it states that Signor Mussolini proposed to contribute immediately 20.000 rifles, 20.000 hand grenades, 200 machine-guns and 1,500,000 pesetas in cash, and subsequently to supplement that aid according to circumstances. BARCELONA OUTBREAK NEW GOVERNMENT FORMED APPEAL BY ALL PARTIES (Received May 6, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 5 Though outwardly peace prevails in Barcelona, after the formation of a provisional Government, with Senor Companys presiding over a directorate representing the Anarchists, Socialists, Catalan Left and Peasants, the contending parties are remaining under arms, but marauding bands have disappeared from the streets. It is estimated that 100 people were killed and 250 wounded in the fighting last night, when recent tension between the authorities and Anarchists reached its climax in an outbreak of revolution.

Unions and political parties are urging their followers to return to work and cease fratricidal fighting. They are specially appealing to the Anarchists not to weaken Catalonia at a critical stage in the civil war. The British cruiser Dispatch and the destroyer Hostile are on the way to Barcelona as a precautionary measure. The Arethusa is steaming to Barcelona from Gibraltar in response to a wireless call for assistance from the depot ship Woolwich. In a message from Valencia it is reported that the Spanish Government has taken over control of public order throughout Catalonia. DEBATE IN COMMONS LABOUR MEMBER TO OPEN (Received May 6. 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, May 5 A debate on the Spanish situation will be opened in the House of Commons to-morrow by Mr. D. 11. Grenfell (Labour —Glamorgan) on the motion for the adjournment for the Coronation and the Whitsun recess. NON-PARTICIPATION LAW YOUNG POLE IMPRISONED (Received May 6, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, May 5 A 21-year-old Pole whose name was recorded as Gustavs was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for breach of the law forbidding participation in Spain. The press applauds Germany's determination to maintain her nonintervention pledge.