FRANCO’S DRIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1938, Page 5

FRANCO’S DRIVE

MOST AMBITIOUS TO DATE FORGE OF SIX ARMY CORPS EMPLOYED. REPUBLICANS HOLDING CENTRE SECTOR. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright SARAGOSSA. December 28. General Franco’s most ambitious offensive is being continued determinedly along a 70-mile front between Tremp and the confluence of the Segre and Ebro rivers. The operating force consists of six army corps commanded by Spanish generals. Prisoners taken in the first three days number 7000. The Republicans claim that they are holding the centre sector.

CONSULAR BAG CASE. EXECUTION OF BRITISH-BORN WOMAN DENIED. HENDAYE. December 28. It is revealed that Senora Carreras, British-born wife of a former - Spanish firm magnate, who was reported to have been shot by the Nationalists, is alive and not connected with the consular bag incident. It is believed that she is being detained in Burgos pending an investigation of another charge. Senora Bengoietchea, for whose husband the packet was intended, was courtmartialled and shot at San Sebastian for espionage. Her husband had been working at St Jean de Luz on behalf of the Barcelona Government. A man named Firman, porter at the British Consulate in San Sebastian, has committed suicide. Madame Lugarde, a French secretary, employed at the Consulate, has been arrested, but not in connection with the bag incident. SIR C. O’MALLEY TO REPORT FOLLOWING ON INQUIRIES AT BURGOS. NO ARRESTS OF BRITISH OFFICIALS. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, December 28.

The Australian Associated Press says Sir Clair O’Malley, British Minister at Hendaye, has arrived in London to enable Lord Halifax to hear personally the result of inquiries into the diplomatic bag mystery. Sir C. O’Malley was sent to Burgos immediately after the incident. It is understood that inquiries so far have not relieved the British embarrassment resulting from the discovery. Sir C. O’Malley reported that there was no foundation for stories of the arrest of British Consulate officials. BASQUE CHILDREN. DONATION FROM THE POPE. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) BARCELONA, December 28. The Pope has given £l.OOO to the Basque Children Fund.