PATROL OPERATES

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1937, Page 5

PATROL OPERATES

IN MEDITERRANEAN Italy Participating [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, September 21. Rome press messages state that a communique officially' announces Italy has agreed to participate in policing (he Mediterranean under the ixyon arrangement. < Count Ciano recently asked the British and French Charges D’Affaires to call upon him. It is understood that Count Ciano verbally indicated Italy was anxious to co-operate in the naval patrol scheme. The reservations that the Italian Government entertained were further clarified. The British and French Governments have now suggested a meeting oi technical experts at Paris on an early date, to discuss possible modifications of the patrol scheme, which might be commended in the event of participation of the Italian naval contingent. Paris messages say that French circles confidently' expect a meeting of technical experts at Paris on an early date, to discuss possible modifications of the patrol scheme, which might be commended in the event of participation of the Italian naval contingent. Paris messages say that French circles confidently expect a meeting of naval experts. Early developments are imminent in connection with the Mediterranean anti-piracy police scheme, on lines for which the British and French Governments have consistently worked.

The International Non-Intervention Committee approved the proposal that the International Board be authorised to give immediate'effect to certain recommendations of an administrative character, designed to improve and strengthen the efficiency of the observation scheme, which was made bv M. Vandulm. * The first group of recommendations relates to improvements of sea observation. The scheme is designed to reduce the inconvenience to shipowners, caused by the obligations imposed upon them, under the scheme.

The second group relates to improvements urgently required in the conditions of service and remuneration of certain classes of the international staff employed by the Board. The Admiralty' has issued details of thirteen routes to be used by British merchant shipping under the Nyon anti-piracy' agreement. No special routes have been arranged for the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas, where vessels are advised to follow the ordinary routes. Five Singapore seaplanes of the No. 210 Flying-boat Squadron have left the Pembroke dock for the Mediterranean to take part in the antipiracy patrol.

LINER’S S.O.S. BRITISH WARSHIPS RESPOND [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, September 22. A Tangier report states: British warships figured in the first incident under the new. Mediterranean Patrol when they raced eight miles to the assistance of a French liner, the Koutoubia, which had sent an SOS, saying that an aeroplane was attacking her south of the Balearics. The liner was bound from Corsica to Casablanca with 700 passengers. The vessel was not hit. The warships escorted her for some distance. THE BREST SUBMARINE INCIDENT. ARREST OF IRUN GOVERNOR. PARIS, September 21. Uneasiness is felt following the arrest of General Toncoso, the Commandant of Irun, on the Franco-Span-ish frontier. The frontier is in a ferment. The Spanish rebels are threatening, that unless he is released, they will cross the international bridge at Irun to rescue him forcibly. French Mobile Guards, protecting the bridge, have been strongly reinforced to prevent a serious clash. • 1 The Government hesitated over the arrest of General Toncoso, fearing grave consequences, but M. Chautemps (Premier) eventually agreed that it was imperative in the national interest. HENDAYE, September 21. The Franco-SpanJrh frontier has been closed from the Spanish sfde since this morning. The police have begun the interrogation of General Toncoso. He was charged with attempting to steal the Spanish Government submarine, C. 2, at Brest, and with complicity in theft of certain documents. Other warrants are being issued shortly concerning - bomb outrages at the Surete National, and these allege that Toncoso is the head of a terrorist organisation responsible for many' outrages in France, including placing bombs in a train at Cerbere, a ship at Bayonne, quays at Marseilles, and in aeroplanes at Toulouse.

Others arrested admit carrying out terroristic outrages under Toncoso’s instructions, hoping they would be attributed to Spanish anarchists, and turn France against the Valencia Government. ’ i A MADRID ARREST. MADRID, September 21. The Home Office issued a statement announcing that the police during a surprise visit to the palace of the Papal Nuncio, found the premises were used as a storehouse for arms and munitions. The Civil Governor arrested a palace employee. Since the Nuncio left after the outbreak of war, the palace has been in the care of employees. A Gijon Mob RAID AND KILL HOSTAGES. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn] ST. JEAN DU LUZ, September 22. There was an insurgent air raid on Gijon. A mob, angered by the raid, stormed the Gijon prison. There have been two J thousand persons detained in the prison as hostages. Most of them are Franco sympathisers. Several of the hostages were killed. Police restored order.