INCIDENT IN SPAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23689, 22 December 1938, Page 11

INCIDENT IN SPAIN

INCRIMINATING DOCUMENT IN BRITISH CONSULAR BAG OFFICIAL NOT IMPLICATED (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (Bj' Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Dec. 20. It is reported that a package containing what is described as incriminating matter has been found by the Spanish Nationalist frontier authorities at Irun in a consular bag despatched by the Britisli Vice-consul-ate at San Sebastian to the British Embassy at St. Jean de Luz. It is understood that full investigation is being made by Spanish Nationalist authorities, who are receiving cooperation and assistance from the British authorities on the spot. The British Vice-consul at San Sebastian is Mr Harold Goodman. Although he himself was carrying the bag containing the package referred to, no suggestion has been made from any quarter that he was in any way personally implicated in the incident.

MILITARY INFORMATION VALUABLE TO LOYALISTS LONDON, Dec. 21. (Received Dec. 21, at 11 p.m.) The Australian Associated Press says the incriminating matter in the consular bag is understood to be military information, valuable to the Government of Spain. It has also been revealed that the consular bag had been used in this way for many months. The Daily Telegraph says the frontier authorities informed Mr Goodman that they had reason to believe that an irregular packet was contained in the consular bag. Mr Goodman replied that it was most unlikely, but opened the bag for a search. Apparently the matter was placed in the bag by a person with access to the vice consulate. It is understood that it contained information concerning General Franco's forthcoming offensive in the Segre sector at Catalonia. There have been many arrests in San Sebastian in connection with the incident, including, it is reported, several officers of General Franco's general staff.