How Many Italians in Spain?

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 22, 19 October 1937, Page 5

How Many Italians in Spain?

■I'resa Assn.-

DIVERSE ESTIMATES.

Bitter Rome Outburst on Eve of London Talks SHAMELESS MANOEUVRES

(By Telegraph ■

-Copyrigbt.)

(Received 19, 12.30 p.m.) EOME, Oct. 18. . A communique declares that absolutely fantastic figuros which are creating dangerous hysteria and war psycfiosis lmve been given abfoad regarding Italian volunteers in Spain, Accordingly, it has been thought advisable to state officially that Italian volunteers number about 40,000, including supply services. "This is tho truth," states the communique, "and there is no fear.of denials from any quarte'r. Valencia 's volunteers number many more. ' ' The Spanish Embassy at London, replying to the Rome communique, says that the Government has information that there are 110,000 Italians in Spain. The Rome communique specifically refers to Mr Lloyd George's statement yesterday qs a grave and scandalous utterance from a former Priam Minister whose age should recommend care. It adds: 'It is time these shameless manoeuyres ended so as to enable , peaceful study of the situation. There is at present no illusion Tegarding the good faith of Italy 's opponents." The statement has caused a sensation in foreign diplomatic circles. Those well informed detect II Duce's style in the bitterness of the outburst.

It is noticed that the statement precedes the new non-intervention meetings, although officials" subsequently stated that it was not inteded to hinder the work of non-intervention. Yalencia messages report that Spanish Government commentators scoff at Count Grandi's suggestion for- the withdrawal of equal numbers of volunteers from both sides, as the Government 's foreigners total at most 15,000 as compared with General Eranco's 110,000. The insurgent spokesman at Salamanca pfotesting at the Frendh reports that Italian forces occupy Minorca, declares that the Balearics garrison is entirely Spanish and that its actions will not prejudice other-Powers. "• The London Daily Telegraph states that significance attaches to the suggestion made by Count Grandi, Itlaian Ambassador to Lopdon, that, as a beginning, an equal number of volunteers of both sides should be yithdrawn from Spain. The Telegraph points out that reliable estimates show that the proportion pf foreigners flghting is f our to one in favour of General Franco, whose troops include approximately 80,000 Italians, including three regular divisions, and some 10,000 German technicians and Moors, while the Republican International Brigade probably includes only 5000 who have had previous milit-ary training. The newspapers in Eome declare that the Italian proposals will be maintained to the utmost.