SPANISH REBELS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23690, 23 December 1938, Page 9

SPANISH REBELS

TROUBLES INCREASING ANOTHER PLOT DISCOVERED HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 21. The British United Press correspondent at Hendaye discloses that another anti-Franco plot has been discovered, with its centre at Burgos. It is reported that 765 have been arrested, and several officers, including two colonels and one major, have been executed. It was the sequel to raids throughout the city on December 3. and a rounding-up of plotters oi’ganising a military uprising to overthrow General Franco. All the officers involved have been executed.

Apropos of the consular bag incident, the police express the opinion that a Spaniard at the British Consulate placed the information in Mr Goodman’s bag. It is understood that it disclosed that General Franco was planning to throw 500,000 men into a final offensive. Already 200 have been arrested and are being court-martialled. REPORT OF PLOT DENIED (Independent Cable Service) LONDON, Dec. 21. Franco’s news agency in London says that the reports of the revolt centred at Burgos are not true, and that they are based on the fact that there have been numerous arrests in the frontier zone for smuggling and other illegalities. A message from Paris, however, says that it is learned from the most reliable source that a revolt which was well-planned broke out in the garrisons at Saragossa, Segovia, Pamplona, Soria, and several other cities in General Franco’s Spain. Over 1000 officers and non-commis-sioned officers have been arrested.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ARMISTICE SPURNED BY REBEL LEADER , (Independent Cable Service) LISBON, Dec. 21. Messages from Burgos state that ex-King Alfonso has given 1000 pesetas as a fund for social assistance. An official press message states that General Franco is refusing all suggestions for mediation or an armistice whether with the King or otherwise. WHEAT FROM AMERICA FOR CIVILIAN POPULATION WASHINGTONADec. 21. (Received Dec. 22, at I<o p.m.) The State Department announced plans to distribute the surplus United States wheat in order to prevent starvation and the spread of disease among Spain’s civilian population. It also invited other nations to give food or money. The Government is purchasing 3,000,000 bushels of wheat during the next six months and turning it over to the Red Cross for the storage and transportation costs, after which the wheat will be milled into 600,000 barrels of flour, which will be distributed impartially among Spanish non-combatants. ESSENTIAL VITAMINS NEED BECOMING PARAMOUNT WASHINGTON, Dec. 21. (Received Dec. 22, at 10.30 p.m.) The announcement that the United States was sending wheat and„flour to Spanish civilians elicited the observation in British and American circles that the nutritional problem in Spain had been giving concern not only to humanitarian bodies in the British Empire and the United States, but also to departmental experts who have been connected with the League of Nations’ work. A report is in circulation that Australian circles advocate that the Commonwealth should make a contribution of dried milk for undernourished women and children of both factions in Spain. It was stressed that the need for essential vitamins is becoming paramount among civilians, and such a contribution would be of first-rate importance for the relief of suffering and perhaps be more important than wheat.

ANTI-ITALIAN FEELING WAR WEARINESS GROWING LONDON, Dec. 22. (Received Dec. 22, at 11 p.m.) The Hendaye correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says there are growing war weariness and resentment at interference by Italian and German staff officers in domestic affairs. The slogan “ Spain for the Spaniards ” is increasingly heard. Two hundred arrests at San Sebastian occurred largely from antiItalian feeling, leading to the wounding of the secretary of the Italian Consulate. CONSULAR BAG INCIDENT A NUMBER OF ARRESTS LONDON, Dec. 22. (Received Dec. 22, at 10 p.m.) The Daily Mail’s special correspondent says that, following the consular bag discovery, a French woman and a Spanish youth, members of Mr Goodman’s staff, were arrested. An English messenger and his wife, who were attached to Sir Robert Hodgson’s delegation to Burgos, were also arrested. The messenger was previously ex-King Alfonso’s head racehorse trainer.

TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW MORNING BIG RUSH DAYS.