BRITISH MISSION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20464, 2 April 1938, Page 7

BRITISH MISSION

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS BRITAIN TO BEAR COST ALLEVIATION OF HARDSHIP (Olficlal Wireless) (Received April 2, 11 a.m.) RUGBY. April 1 Field-Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode will set 'out within the next week or so as hpad of a mission of three British subjects to supervise arrangements in connection with the British plan for assisting the exchange of prisoners, hostages and other persons detained by the two parties in the Spanish civil war. When the plan is in operation FieldMarshal Chetwode’s headquarters will be established at Toulouse, with one assistant at Burgos and the other at Barcelona. Field-Marshal Chetwode will exercise the functions of an arbitrator under the scheme. It is undestood that the scheme has been accepted by General Franco. There has been some hesitation from the Spanish Government side, but an early acceptance is confidently hoped for. It is intended that a start shall be made in arranging for the exchange of 2000 prisoners held by the Govern - ment forces for an equivalent number of Basques, who, it has been represented, are in great personal danger. This will be followed by exchanges which will affect some thousands of persons at present detained. The costs incurred by the commission will be borne exclusively by the British Government, as a humanitarian contribution towards alleviating the hardships arising out of the Spanish War. EXTRAORDINARY AMBUSH THE FIGHT FOB LERIDA FRANCO FORCE WIPED OUT United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright Received April 2. 11.45 a.m.) BARCELONA. April 1. Some of General Franco’s troops were the victims of an extraordinary ambush. The resistance at Lerida stopped at dawn, and airmen saw no signs of life, whereupon a body of troops escorted by tanks entered the city. Fifteen thousand Government troops, who had been hidden in houses, then opened fire, and it is believed wiped out General Franco's force. OFFENSIVE BY LOYALISTS HOPE OF RELIEVING ARAGON WOMEN REPLACING MEN Un'tert Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrign: LONDON, April 1 The Spanish loyalist Government is heavily reinforcing the front, says a message from Barcelona. Ten thousand volunteers have been raised in the past e'ight days, the 10,000 women are undergoing industrial training in order to replace them. The loyalists have launched an, offensive on the Guadalajara front, north-east of Madrid, in the hope of relieving Aragon. REFUGEES IN FRANCE ONLY OLD-FASHIONED WEAPONS DEATH FROM EXHAUSTION United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright (Received April 2, 11 a.m.) LUCHON (France), April 1, 'The morale of the refugee troops, of whom from 3000 to 4000 have arrived. is excellent. The French were amazed to find some armed only with old-fashioned sporting guns and daggers. The men stated that it was impossible to continue resistance, as they had run out of ammunition. Some died of exhaustion in the snow or fell over precipices while they were attempting to escape. SIGNOR MUSSOLINI’S SPEECH REFERENCES TO SPAIN BRITISH PREMIER QUESTIONED (Official Wireless) (Received April 2, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, April 1 Spain will figure largely as the subject of questions in the House of Commons on Monday. Several questions addressed to Mr Chamberlain by the Opposition relate to the references to Spain in Signor Mussolini's speech. BOMBING OF BARCELONA -A DEVASTATING EFFECT • LESSONS FOR LONDON DEFENCE Unlied Press Assn.—Llec. TeL Copyright (Received April 2, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. April 1 The chairman and secretary of the Parliamentary Air Raid Precautions Committee, have gone to Barcelona to investigate the. effects of bombing from the viewpoint of ensuring London against similar disasters. It is believed that the bombs recently used had a more devastating effect than anything hitherto known.