FRANCO’S BLOCKADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1939, Page 5

FRANCO’S BLOCKADE

BRITAIN NOT OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OPINION OF AUTHORITIES. NO GRANT OF BELLIGERENT RIGHTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. Britain has not been notified officially of General Franco’s blockade. Official quarters express the opinion that the recognition of General Franco does not bestow belligerent rights or the right of blockade and that sinking on sight without warning would be an act of piracy. A message from Burgos stated that in an order issued on Wednesday the Admiralty forbids ships of any nationality to enter harbours between Adra and Sagunto, comprising the whole Republican coast. Submarines have been ordered to sink any vessels which attempt to enter the ports. SIMPLE SOLDIER. I EX-KING’S NEW RATING. PARIS, March 9. Ex-King Alfonso of Spain is reported to have said today: “I wish to be regarded as a simple soldier under General Franco for the reconstruction and reawakening of Spain.” STILL ACTIVE COMMUNISTS IN MADRID. GROUPS TRYING TO REACH VALENCIA. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) MADRID, March 9. Communists have cut communications between Madrid and Valencia, for which place groups of Communists are making. The Defence Council’s troops and tanks are guarding Valencia, where many arrests have been made. NEEDS OF REFUGEES. DISPATCH OF HOSPITAL SHIP. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 8. A report by Major-General Sir John Kennedy, who visited refugee camps and hospitals in the Pyrenees as the personal representative of Sir Arthur Stanley, chairman of the executive committee of th British Red Cross Society, has been brought to the notice of the British Government. In a tribute paid to the work done by France and the Red Cross Society, Sir John Kennedy emphasises the need for beds, blankets and linen as well as for more hospital accommodation in view of the increasing number of refugees and the resultant serious congestion, He is of the opinion that the best immediate help would be th? despatch of a fully equipped British hospital ship. EXITS CLOSED I DEFENCE COUNCIL ACTION. IN MADRID & .VALENCIA. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) PARIS, March 9. Telephone communication with Madrid lias been cut off. Broadcasts indicate that General Miaja has closed all exits. The Loyalists have been reinforced as a result of an urgent wireless appeal and are marching on the Communists’ front lines, which are being heavily bombed from the air. The Rebels are holding out at the Atoch Station and the Hotel .National. Nineteen rebel leaders in Valencia were shot. A Nationalist broadcast from Burgos stated that the Republican warships at Bizerta will be handed over to the Nationalists in accordance with international law. LOYALISTS ADVANCING. SURRENDER OF COMMUNIST COMPANIES. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LISBON, March 9. Broadcasts from Madrid report the surrender of two Communist companies in the Barajos sector. The loyalists are advancing victoriously. IRON GRIP IMPOSED BY FRANCO’S SUBMARINES. CRUISING FROM CARTAGENA. (Received This Day. 10.50 a.m.) BURGOS, March 9. General Franco is holding the Republicans in the iron grip of a naval blockade. The first twelve hours passed without incident as General Franco’s submarines cruised over a wide radius from Cartagena, prepared to sink at sight any ship trying to penetrate the three-mile limit. BRITAIN’S POLICY. RECOGNITION OF BLOCKADE UNLIKELY. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 9.Although it is most unlikely that Britain will recognise General Franco’s blockade as legal, it is understood that the Government at present has no intention of protesting and is content to await developments. Meanwhile British shipping will be discouraged from attempting to run the blocka.de, though outwardly it will be assured of full protection on the high seas as heretofore.