ITALIANS IN SPAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1938, Page 7

ITALIANS IN SPAIN

NUMBERS INCREASING IN SPITE OF RECENT WITHDRAWALS ACCORDING TO THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, November 2. The Spanish Ambassador, in a Note to the Foreign Office today, stated that Italian intervention in Spain was increasing instead of decreasing. It is estimated that, apart from the 10,000 men withdrawn, 60,000 infantrymen, artillerymen and members of the tank corps, 100 pilots and 2000 aviation mechanics, also 26,000 technicians and others, are still in service with the insurgents. None of the four divisions from which the 10,000 men were withdrawn have been dissolved, and eight Italian generals remain. Recent arrivals include 325 aviators, 3374 soldiers, 600 technicians, and 1301 Italian planes. It is reported from Burgos that heavy fighting has been renewed on the Ebro front, where the rebel leader, General Franco, is personally directing operations. The rebels claim to have brought down 22 planes in a spectacular air battle. The Republicans state that the offensive was repulsed.

REBEL SHIPS APPEAL COURT DECISION IN BRITAIN RECOGNITION OF FRANCO GOVERNMENT LONDON, November 2. Giving judgment today in the case of the vessel Arantzazu-Mendi, the Apupeal Court held General Franco’s Government to be a foreign sovereign State, immune from legal process in Britain. The steamer Arantzazu-Mendi and 14 other insurgent vessels in British ports were being detained by the British authorities at the request of the Spanish Republican Government. The decision concerning the ArantzazuMendi will decide the fate of the other vessels. •