SPANISH BASES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 47, 25 February 1939, Page 9

SPANISH BASES

USE IN WAR Reported Promise By Franco GERMANY AND ITALY [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] (Independent Cable Service.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. It is authoritatively stated that in a secret peport received by the United States Government it is revealed that General Franco has promised Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler •‘full co-operation in the use of Spanish air and naval bases in the event of war between the dictatorships and Britain and France.”

The agreement amounts to a virtual military alliance, and represents Italy’s and Germany’s price for assisting to crush the Spanish Republican Government. Although the alliance is so far informal, it is strictly binding. Its terms give Italy and Germany bases in Spain which would enable them to smash Gibraltar.

ARMED TRAWLERS

DANZIG PREPARING LARGE FLEET german-trained crews (Independent Cable Service.) Received Feb. 24, 11.30 p.m. WARSAW, Feb. 24. . It is disclosed that Danzig is building up a large fleet of small craft, nominally trawlers, but actually armed to capacity and of high speed. They can be used as minelayers or minesweepers. Experts from Germany are training the crews.

GOERINS GOING TO ITALY

MAY PAY VISIT TO LIBYA (Independent Cable Service.) Received Feb. 24, 11.20 p.m. BERLIN, Feb. 24. It is announced that Marshal Goer ing is going to Italy during the firsl

week in March on a lengthy visit possibly including trip to Libya.

COUNT CliNO IN WARSAW

POLAND'S ATTITUDE IN EVENT OF WAR (Independent Cable Service.) Received Feb. 24. 11.30 p.m. ROME, Feb. 24. The Italian Foreign Minister Count Ciano, has gone to Warsaw for talks with the Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck. The Italian Press is remarkably silent regarding the visit, confining itself to the statement that it is "intended to prepare the way for further friendship ’’ It is known, however, that Count Ciano will sound out Colonel Beck on the possible Polish attitude in the event of a war between France > id Italy. He will also discuss relations with Germany and the Polish desire for colonies.

ITALIAN PLOT

ESPION AGE OPERATIONS (Independent Cable Service.) DJIBOUTI, Feb. 23. The police are uncovering an extensive Italian espionage plot following the arrest of an Italian contractor, who is stated to be :i the possession of plans of a new aerodrome and military equipment, also other vital strategic information. Eight other arrests were made immediately after, and more are expected.

FRONTIER INCIDENT

FRENCH AND ITALIAN’S TUNIS, Feb. 23. French outposts firing on armed Askaris deserting from the Italians have led to reports that fighting has broken out on the Tunisian-Libyan frontier.

FRANCO MASSING TROOPS

ASSAULT ON SPANISH CENTRAL ZONE (Independent Cable Service). Received Feb. 25, 1 a.m. PARIS, Feb. 24. It is learned that General Franco is massing 100,000 troops, Including Italians and Moors, for an assualt on the central zone in Spain. Nine hundred ]».♦ ne§ will be used and at least 150 Italian tanks.