DOUBTS AND FEARS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 7

DOUBTS AND FEARS

WHEN SPANISH WAR ENDS FASCIST GRAND COUNCIL DISTURBING STATEMENT [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] (Independent Cable Service.) Received Feb. 6, 10.20 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 6. The Daily Telegraph says that the Fascist Grand Council statement that the Italian troops will not leave Spain until General Franco has won, is a reminder that the end of the civil war will not necessarily end the European tension. On the contrary, it will revive the doubts and fears which have been perplexing the European capitals since the war began. ITALIANS IN SPAIN WILL NOT LEAVE UNTIL FRANCO HAS WON ROME, Feb. 5. Reports are current that Signor Benito Mussolini emphasised that the fall of Barcelona and Gerona signify victory for the Spanish rebel leader, General Franco, enabling Italy to realise her aspirations. Signor Mussolini’s spokesman, Signor V. Gayda, declares that the whole Fascist Council meeting was dedicated to foreign affairs. The world expected a speech from II Dues, which would have closed the cycle opened by Mr. Neville Chamberlain and Herr Adolf Hitler, but 11 Duce's speech was not given out to indiscreet commentators. The Grand Council approved two resolutions, the first expressing profound satisfaction with Herr Hitler’s speech, states an independent Cable Service message. The second was: “Meeting on the day of the fall of Gerona, the council sends ardent greetings to the heroic combatants in Spain and proclaims that the volunteer forces of Fascism will not abandon the struggle until i< ends triumphantly with General Franco’s victory.” The council meets again on February 10, when it is expected tiiat it will hear that the conquest of Catalonia is finished and that Italian troops are on tne Pyreneean frontier. THE NEXT OBJECTIVE

ITALIAN PLANES OVER MINORCA Received Feb. 6, 9.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 6. The Rome correspondent ot The Tinies says there are signs that Minorca will be the next objective in tile Spanish venture. The majority ot the Italian air force based at Majorca flew over Minorca on Saturday, dropping leaflets and calling on the population to surrender.