AIR BATTLES

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20267, 9 August 1937, Page 9

AIR BATTLES

TWELVE PLANES DOWN. CLAIM BY THE INBURQENTB. FRANCO’S APPEAL TO SURRENDER. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel Copyright. (Received Aug. 9, 1 p.m.) LISBON, August 8. An air battle occurred over Santander between insurgent planes which were scattering General Franco's appeals to surrender and Government machines, twelve of which are claimed by the insurgents to have been shot down. ATTACKS ON SHIPS. DENIAL BY GENERAL FRANCO. GREEK STEAMER BOMBED. ALL VESSELS TO BE ESCORTED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received August 9, 11.5 a.m.) SALAMANCA, August 8. .General Franco’s headquarters deny that planes bombed foreign ships near the African coast, and state that no insurgent machines were ever flown over the area indicated. A message from Algiers says that an unnamed Greek steamer was attacked at almost the same spot as the British Corporal by a plane bearing the same markings. Two bombs were dropped, but the vessel was not hit. All vessels leaving Algerian ports will be escorted either by aircraft or a warship. BOMBED BY MIBTAKE. EXPLANATION BY VALENCIA. United Press Assn.—Eiec. Tel. Copyright VALENCIA, August 7. The Spanish Government in a communique states that the British Corporal and the Mongioia were bombe’d by General Franco’s airmen in mistake lor two Government ships traversing the same route which the rebels’ espionage service' had reported but which had already reached port, well protected.

A SIGNIFICANT EVENT.

VISIT OF MOORISH PRINCE. : FRUITS OF FRANCO'S POLICY. TRIBAL FIDELITY SWORN. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Aug. 9, 11.20 a.m.) SALAMANCA, Aug. 8. Bearing gifts and greetings from his brother, the “Blue Sultan” of Ifni, the Moorish Prince Sini Mahomet Liman called on General Franco. The visit is regarded as an event of some significance, since the Ifni tribe has hitherto maintained a markedly troublesome attitude and independence. It is considered to be the fruits of General Franco's policy of treating the Moroccan territories as not merely valuable but vital adjuncts of Spain. Ifni has proved valuable to General Franco as an air base, and may become a station on the all-Spanish air route to South America. Prince Liman plans to visit all the Ifni contingents in General Franco’s native army in Spain, of which the Ifni sharpshooters are the crack contingent. Prince Liman swore tribal fidelity to General Franco, who promised better conditions. A NATIONALIST ADVANCE. 2000 LOYALISTS SURRENDER. SHORTAGE OF RATIONS. LONDON, August 6. The Lisbon correspondent of the Times says that a Nationalist thrust In the Teruel sector resulted in an advance of twelve miles on a 15miles front. # Two thousand Government troops surrendered owing to the shortage of rations.

A MISUNDERSTANDING.

TOTAL DEFICIT LARGE. SMALLER POWERS PAY UP. .ii:cd P-sss Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlglit LONDON, August 8. It was officially announced yesterday that 11 of the smaller Powers had paid their contributions and that Belgium had even paid up in advance. A communique states tlint yesterday’s interpretation of the secretary’s statement was due to a misunderstanding. What il was desired to emphasise was that Britain alone, of the live great Powers, had paid up to date, but as ihe great Powers contribute 80 per cent, the tolal deficit was large. Paid All Contributions. Besides Britain ihe oilier Powers parties to the non-intervention agreement, who have paid all I heir contributions arc Albania. Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, the (Continued in uext column.)

Irish Free State, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. SHELLING OF MADRID. PAPAL LEGATION HIT. SECRETARY REPORTED KILLED. MADRID, August 6. Shelling damaged the Papal Legation and killed the secretary. SALAMANCA, August 6. A captured American student declares that 300 Americans in the International Brigade have been killed since April. I Mfc WIHOLIU RELIGION. LICENSES GRANTED TO PRIESTS. CHURGHES AS STORE-HOUSES. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received August 9, 11.30 a.m.) MADRID, August 8. The Government has decided to permit the practice of the Catholic religion in private, for which it is granting licenses to a large number of priests, enabling thousands of couples to remarry, many of whom were married at the front by officers.. A large number of babies will toe baptised and graves blessed. The reopening of churches will be slow, as many are being used as Government store-houses. GERMANY OHARQED. TORPEDO ATTACK PREPARED. ALLEGATIONS OF A SAILOR. (Jailed Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received August 9, 1.30 p.m.) VALENCIA, August 8. The Minister of Defence announces that the Government has received the evidence of a sailor on the German warship Leipzig, whose name is withheld, Indicating that the commanders prepared to stage a torpedo attack themselves, In order to toe able to accuse Spain. They abandoned the idea owing to the risk, but nevertheless made an accusation though no attack occurred. A VESSEL DAMAGED. LIFTED LIKE A CORK. REPORT BY DUTCH OBSERVER. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received August 9,1 J a.m.) ALGIERS, August 8. M. Bruin, a Dutch non-intervention observer aboard the Mongioia, reports that a rebel three-engined seaplane dropped bombs. Hie second of which fell close to Ihe hull, lifted the vessel like a cork, buckled plates, twisted rails, knocked holes in tlie hull, tore up ibo engine-room floor, and wrenched the engine from its bed. ‘