ROME CERTAIN OF REBEL VICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 23337, 22 October 1937, Page 5

ROME CERTAIN OF REBEL VICTORY

ITALY INFLUENCED BY FRENCH THREAT

EFFECTIVE WITHDRAWAL WANTED IN PARIS

(United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright)

(Received October 21, 10.45 p.m.)

LONDON, October 21.

The speech by the Italian Ambassador to London (Count Dino Grandi) at the Non-Intervention Committee meeting was, it is believed, influenced by the Italian Government’s conviction that France really intended to open her Spanish frontiers if no agreement on withdrawal of volunteers was reached. It is also observed in Rome that the commissions cannot finish their task before General Franco has gained a decisive victory for the rebel cause. Moreover, the fall of Gijon is imminent. “This constitutes a fresh vindication of the blood of Italian heroes,” says one newspaper in Rome. It is hoped in Berlin that the conciliatory attitude of Italy and Germany will convince France and Britain of the necessity of the Soviet’s exclusion from the discussions.

Paris welcomes the modification of the Italian attitude, but insists that the granting of belligerent rights must be conditional on a substantial withdrawal of volunteers. REBELS CLOSING IN ON GIJON POPULOUS AREA AFLAME AFTER SHELLING (Received. October 21, 10.5 p.m.) BAYONNE (France), October 21. The surviving planes of the Asturian air force have flown to France to avoid capture by the insurgents, who are cnly seven miles from the loyalists’ last northern stronghold. One plane crashed in to the sea; the passengers, it is believed, include leading Gijon politicians. Gijon was heavily bombarded from tlie sea and the air, and a populous quarter was reduced to flaming ruins. The insurgents allege that the Anarchists are pillaging and setting fire to the city. A report received from St. Jean de Luz (France) says that the British steamer Bramden and a British destroyer have left for Gijon.