BRITAIN’S REPLY TO FRANCO

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21088, 14 July 1938, Page 7

BRITAIN’S REPLY TO FRANCO

Offer of “ Safe Port ” Rejected Rebel Leader’s Plans Examined Italy Denies Lack of Sincerity United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received July 13, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON. July 13

“The Tinies” says: “It is understood the British Government has rejected General Franco’s offer to set apart Almeria as a neutral port for the purpose of unloading contraband cargoes, for which purpose it is considered too small. It is understood the Government has also rejected General Franco's demand that the contraband list should be extended to include oil and motor lorries. Reply refilling Mr R. A. Butler (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) announced in the House of Commons, on the subject of General Franco's proposals to Britain, contained in the recent reply to the British Note, that Mr Neville Chamberlair. would make a statement on the whole question as soon as he is in a position.

ITALIAN PRESS REPLY SPANISH LOYALISTS ACCUSATIONS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ROME, July 12. The Press denies the Spanish Ambassador's story suggesting that leading Fascist officials are tired of delay. Dr. Gayda. semi-official correspond dent, declares that Italy foresaw that after agreement was reached in London for the withdrawal of volunteers this Barcelona plot would be hatched to strike at Italy, in order to prevent the execution of a plan to embroil her regarding British policy.

Simultaneously with the publication of the evacuation scheme, the Spanish Ambassador to London (Senor de Azcarate) handed the British Foreign Office a Note alleging that it was proposed, as a result of conversations between General Franco and Italy, to transfer to Italy ten thousand men, mostly incapacitated and sick, and incorporate the rest of the Italian troops in Spain into the Spanish Foreign Legion as volunteers wearing the Spanish uniform and passing as Spaniards under assumed names. Italian General Staff advisers remaining in Spain will wear mufti. The Ambassador explained that these reports emanate from sources considered to be reliable. KILLED IN SPAIN ITALIAN LOSSES IN THE AIR United Press Association—,By Electric Telegraph —Copyright ROME, July 12. It is officially admitted that 120 Italian airmen were killed in Spain during the war. Twenty-one were taken prisoners and nine are missing. The Italians claim that they shot down 580 enemy planes.