FRENCH TORPEDOES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 305, 24 December 1938, Page 7

FRENCH TORPEDOES

FOR REPUBLICAN WARSHIP FRANCO'S ALLEGATIONS INCIDENTS AT GIBRALTAR (By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright | LONDON, Dec. 22. General Franco has sent a Note to Britain alleging that France supplied the Republican destroyer Jose Luis Diez, which is being repaired at Gibraltar, with torpedoes, anti-aircraft shells and other ammunition. He also declared that a French repair ship 'ransported supplies and that French sailors had supplemented the destroyer’s crew, also the French warships apparently intend to cover the destroyer's departure, all of which action was a flagrant violation of nonintervention, threatening serious complications. CONSULAR BAG MYSTERY REPORTED ARRESTS NOT CONFIRMED LONDON, Dec. 22. The Australian Associated, Press has learned that the Consulate officers implicated in the San Sebastian bag mystery are paid members of the service. Mr. Goodman, who was a Briton and a resident in Spain for many years, acts in an honorary capacity and was granted certain allowances after the outbreak of war. There is no confirmation of the reported arrests by the nationalists of the Briton, Mr. Ernest Golding, who was replacing Mr, Goodman, and the British messenger, Mr. Rattenbury. Neither is immune from arrest. Mr, Golding is classed as a Pro-consul, which is the lowest consulate grading.

Two prominent French officials in San Sebastian have been arrested. A Foreign Office statement declares that the Consular bag had been a regular channel of spy coinmunications, and thanks Britain for assistance after the discovery. The Nationalists deny military revolts, but admit the discovery of a vast spy network. It is believed that an oflicial report suggests that statements from the Hendaye correspondent were not exaggerated. There are probably at least 1500 arrests, including high-placed officials. Over To Republicans. Diplomatic circles in London say that General Franco’s maps found in Mr. Goodman's bag are not the only military information which has strayed from the nationalist command, It has been confirmed that one of General Franco’s officers went over to the republicans, taking most of the plans of the Catalonian offensive, which was consequently postponed at the eleventh hour. The extent of the recently reported arrests of nationalist officers is believed to be overstated, although the restiveness of General Franco’s staff is accepted. I SABOTAGE PLOT SEVEN HUNDRED ARRESTS Received Dec. 23, 8.40 p.m. BARCELONA, Dec. 23. The radio announced that the biggest sabotage plot during the war had been uncovered in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, where it is alleged that Franco agents gained control of the coal, food and milk supplies, which they sabotaged and then capitalised on the population's discontent. Several hundred persons have been arrested and will be immediately court-mar-tialled.