Developments In Spanish Situation

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 330, 11 January 1937, Page 5

Developments In Spanish Situation

GERMAN TROOPS REPORTED IN MOROCCO BERLIN DECLARES REPORTS TO BE ABSURD. BRITISH GOVERNMENT WATCHING THE SITUATION CLOSELY. REBELS PREPARE BARRACKS ON AFRICAN COAST. (Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, January 8. It is reported from Melilla, in Morocco, that large German contingents, all armed, have landed there. The officers are apparently preparing for a long stay. Three German destroyers and several submarines are reported to be anchored in the harbour and German engineers are reorganising the iron mines in the hinterland with a view to more extensive production. Reports from Tan- ' gier also indicate that the infiltration of Germans is steadily proceeding. Berlin official circles declare the reports too absurd to merit official denial, being mere inventions to inflame public opinion.

The German Ministry of Propaganda denied to-day that German troops have landed in Morocco but did not attempt to deny that German firms are drawing supplies of copper, iron, mercury and nickel from the Moroccan mines, where General Franco granted concessions. MR. EDEN INVESTIGATING. Mr. R. A. Eden is investigating the Moroccan situation and is exchanging information with M. Charles Corhin, the French Ambassador. The French Government has drawn General Franco’s attention to the violation of the French-Spanish Treaty involved in the preparation of barracks for German troops in Spanish Morocco.

The protest was not sent to General Francoj because France has not recognised the insurgent Government, but was dispatched to the High Commissioner for Morocco at Tetuan. It is understood, according to official circles, that the protest is a firm warning that French rights will be defended if a tentative menace develops, rather than an indication that the situation is considered imminently serious.

Paris newspapers continue to express growing alarm at the reported “German invasion” of Spanish Morocco.

“Le Humanite” says: “We cannot delay unless we are willing to see Spanish Morocco under the heel of Germany and a hostile army of 100,000 on our southern frontier.” The “Daily Mail’s” Paris correspondent says it is officially announced that M. Albert Daladier, Minister for Defence, accompanied by defence experts, will make a tour of inspection of Morocco, starting on January 15.

A further contingent of 3500 Italian troops is reported at Gibraltar to have landed at Cadiz.

SPANISH REPLY. To The Non Intervention Proposals. KB4Z ~ ■’’TO Press Association—Copyright. London, January 9. The Spanish Government’s reply to the non-intervention proposals ex presses doubt of the effectiveness ot the proposed ban on volunteers and points out that when Spain accepted the control plan on December 16 it believed measures would be taken to prevent the abuse of the July nonintervention agreement by Italy and Germany. Nevertheless since December 16 Italy and Germany have used the time to send troops to cover General Franco’s losses. Thus the new control plan runs the risk of being another form of intervention favouring the rebels.

Senor Del Vayo, when interviewed by the British United Press, said: “Gert* any and Italy are supporting General Franco only in order to ob-

tain positions to attack other countries. The Republic was twice on the point of winning the war but on each occasion it was prevented by the failure of the Powers to act decisively, thus giving Italy and Germany an opportunity of reinforcing General Franco. If the members of the League of Nations definitely stand against the shipment of volunteers to Spain they can prevent an impending European war.”

ASSAULT ON MADRID.

Big Battle Developing Close To Capital.

Press Association —Copyright, London, January 9,

Hitherto none of the battles around Madrid could have ranked as more than a “divisional show” in terms of 1917-18, while most of them hav 6 not risen above the category of brigade or battalion engagements, says the correspondent of the Times at Madrid. Seven hundred men is the highest number seriously claimed to have been killed on either side in any one action.

The battle now in progress, however, is developing on a scale not yet equalled. It has already lasted five days and shows no signs of abatement. Lt can no longer be doubted that it is the beginning of the long awaited assault on the capital, and it is being' carried on with method and in force. EMBASSY BOMBED. Franco Violated Neutral Zone In Madrid. Press Association —Copyright. . London, January 9. Three incendiary bombs fell on the British Embassy at Madrid yesterday, slightly Injuring a transport officer. The British Government has instructed the British Ambassador to Spain to protest vigorously against the violation of the neutral zone round the Embassy. The Embassy annexe in the same street and the British consulate were also hit by incendiary bombs, as well as other buildings within the “nen tral zone” which General Franco pledged himself not to attack. Trees and telephone posts were uprooted within a few yards of the American Embassy. The bombs which hit the British Embassy smashed through a large Union Jack painted on the roof.

EMBARGO EFFECTIVE. Congressional Resolution In U.S.A. Press Association—Copyright. Washington, January 9. The Congressional joint resolution prohibiting the shipment of war materials to Spain was signed to-day Zy President Roosevelt, Mr J. N. Garner, Vice-President, and Mr W. B. Bankhead, Speaker of th e House of Representatives. The resolution makes the embargo on the shipment of arms and aeroplanes to Spain effective immediately. PORTUGAL’S REPLY. Few Volunteers At Present In Spain. Press Association—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) Lisbon, January 10. ■ Portugal’s reply to the BritishFrench proposals says that th e question of volunteers to Spain cannot be considered by itself, but it accepts the principle of restriction. The reply points out that ther 6 are few Portuguese in, Spain at present.