GERMANS HELP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 171, 22 July 1942, Page 5

GERMANS HELP

SPAIN BUILDS NAVY Submarine Parts Brought Overland Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, July 21. Moscow radio, quoting Swiss diplomatic circles, said that the Spanish Navy is expanding by the addition of a large number of submarines and motor torpedo-boats. New shipyards have been built at Cadiz, Malaga and Almeria, and existing ones have been enlarged under the supervision of German engineers. Submarine parts are being brought overland from Germany and Italy.

A large number of German technicians are supervising the assembly. Three thousand German naval officers and ratings arrived in Spain in May and June and established headquarters at Malaga. Laws laying down the composition of the new Cortes (Parliament) are now being promulgated. The Cortes will include representatives of municipalities, syndicates, professions, universities and Royal Academies. General Franco will nominate 50 members from the ecclesiastical, military, administrative or social hierarchy, and also designate the president and vice-president of the Cortes.

The Press welcomes the new laws as a considerable advance in consolidating the new Spain, and "harmonising the principles of the Falange with our glorious tradition." General Franco has issued a decree reinstating the "Marcha Grandera" as Spain's national anthem. It was played until the fall of the monarchy. The decree defines the national salute as "extended arm, with outstretched hand raised slightly above head level."