SARAGOSSA INCIDENT

Southland Times, Issue 25240, 18 December 1943, Page 5

SARAGOSSA INCIDENT

STRONG NOTE TO SPAIN

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, Dec. 16. The terms of the British reply to the Spanish Note about the Saragossa incident were made known to the House of Commons by the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr G. H. Hall. The British Vice-Consulate was entered by men in Falangist uniform who assaulted the Vice-Consul and his lady assistant.

Mr Hall said that the Ambassador, Sir Samuel Hoare, at once made a vigorous protest demanding an apology and punishment of the culprits. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied expressing regret and stating that urgent instructions were given not only in regard to punishment of the culprits, but also about the prevention of a repetition of such incidents. The Spanish Note proceeded, however, to claim that the incidents were to be attributed neither’ to the Falangist Party nor the Spanish Government, and the directors of a political party, whether in power or not, could not be made responsible for every act carried out by any of its members. Sir Samuel Hoare had been instructed to reply that the British Government, while noting the expression of regret and that the guilty would, be punished, could not accept a disclaimer of responsibility or the view that the Spanish Government was not responsible for the protection of the ViceConsulate against ruffians wearing uniforms of the official party.