ITALIAN ’PLANES.

Wairarapa Age, 3 August 1936, Page 5

ITALIAN ’PLANES.

Going To The Assistance of Spanish Rebels. j DISTURBING REVELATIONS IN MOROCCO. VERY GRAVE VIEW TAKEN IN FRANCE. REFERENCES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON, July 31. A very grave view is taken in France of the movements which were attended by the fatal crashes of the mysterious Italian aeroplanes in Morocco. These aeroplanes were painted white, without marks of identification, contrary to the existing air convention, and were intended for military purposes. They were equipped with turrets and four machineguns, and contained quantities of ammunition. It is believed that the fleet totalled ten aeroplanes, and it is supposed that they were bound from Sardina for Melilla. Six men were aboard the machine which made a forced landing near the Moulouya River on the French side of the Franco-Spanish frontier of Morocco. The men were uninjuured and the machine undamaged. The authorities have interned its occupants at Ujda, in French Morocco. Another is reported to have come down in the sea 50 miles from the Algerian coast. The French Air Minister, General Denain, has arrived at Ujda in order to investigate matters. A third aeroplane which made a forced landing continued on its course. The machine which crashed near Nemours, and that which landed at Moulouya, were Savoia Marchettis, with 700 horse-power Alfa Romeo engines. The occupants were Italian officers and sub-officers in civilian clothes. The remainder of the aeroplanes apparently reached the rebel lines at Nador, near Melilla. A message from Rabat announces the arrival of fourteen foreign aeroplanes in Spanish Morocco.

The Spanish Government reports that mysterious Italian aeroplanes, 20 of which are said to have reached destinations in Morocco, were purchased by the millionaire Juan March, who arrived in Perpignan in a British aeroplane. The loyalists allege that he is helping to organise the insurrection.

In the House of Commons Socialist members urged the Government to use its influence to prevent other Powers aiding the Spanish rebels. Lord Cranborne replied that Spain was a cause of serious anxiety to everybody. Aeroplanes the sale of which was reported were civil aircraft and the Government had no power to intervena The fact that a sale took place did not necessarily signify Government approval.

A message from Rome states that the Italian Government is withholding any statement regarding its attitude in connection with Spain. (A cablegram received on Saturday read:—Three out of six Italian aeroplanes from Sardina bound for Spanish Morocco made a forced landing on French soil. One crashed twenty-five miles from Nemours, Algeria, and two airmen were killed and a third injured. Five maehine-guns were found aboard the second machine, which landed near Oran, and the third landed near La Moulouya.)