Evening star., 1935-09-21
ShipMove1nent
Is Declared
Defensive.
ANGLO SPANISH
PACT REPORTED
Meeting of British
Cabinet Due
Tuesday.


LONDON, September 2l.-An au-
thoritative source today frankly de-
scribed the concentration of British
warships in the Mediterranean and
Red Seas as defensive"
Hitherto movements in those waters
have been described variously as
routine" previously planned" and
precautionary"
Today's statement Of defensive pur-
poses was the first hint in sources
near the government that the al
most unprecedented movements Of
ships. planes and troops along the
empire path" had been ordered in
anticipation Of q possible Italian at
tack on British interests.
Follows Rejection.
1t came shortly after the official
announcement from Rome that Italy
had rejected the conciliation pro-
posals Of the F1ve-power Subcommit-
tee Of the League Of Nations Council
at Geneva.
The informant pointed out, how
ever. that Italy had nothing to fear
from England SO long as she did not
tamper with British interests.
1t was again emphasized that there
is no quarrel between Britain and
Italy and that any differences that do
exist, lie between Italy and members
Of the League of Nations.
The tension over the Mediterranean
grew noticeably today with the receipt
Of reports from Rome of the possible
closing Of the Sicily-Africa channel in
case Of hostilities. This would cut off
the eastern from the western Medi-
terranean.
Open Channel Necessary.
Such . move, 1t was said authorita- =
lively, would be regarded by Great
Britain as an encroachment on her
interests. because an open channel
there Is necessary for communication
between the British Isles and the
outlying portions of the empire.
As more British warships arrived in
the Mediterranean it became increas-
ingly evident that Italy viewed their
movement with hostile concern.
Meanwhile reports from Madrid that
Spain had reached q secret under
standing to support Britain in the
event Of war, although not oficially
confirmed, were taken as evidence that
London was preparing for a possible
conflict by every means.
Spanish troop movements lent color
to the reports of the agreement. Sol
diers have been sent to the Balearic
Islands OF the eastern coast and to
areas OF Southern Spain and New
Gibraltar, where the military airfields
have also been reinforced.
Ships to Aid Britain.
A considerable part of Spain's 300
airplanes are stationed in the south
and in Morocco while on the sea she
is reported preparing to concentrate
her naval strength around Gibraltar
to bolster Britain's forces. The con-
centration was reported to be in the
Balearics, at Ceuta on t. African
coast just opposite the rock, and at
Cartagena in pursuance with "a long
planned reorganization of the Spanish
forces" =
Plans for home preparedness became
more marked by placing in position
across the great seaport of Plymouth
Of an anti-submarine boom protec-
ton.
The home Office decided to issue q
simple handbook of instructions for
all householders advising them how to
act in the event of air raids. At the
same time a plea was made for more
fire fighters and the government drew
up plans to supply respirators and
clothing for their equipment.
According to . Reuters (British)
news agency dispatch the possibility
Of q new movement Of British ships
from the Far East was foreshadowed
by the announcement in Singapore
that all Chinese servants employed on
warships sailed for Hongkong in an
admiralty oil tanker, q procedure
which the dispatch said is customary
when future ship movements are un-
certain.
Meantime, most of the London news
papers emphasized that the dispute
lies between italy and the League,
not Italy and Great Britain.
Transport in Canal.
The Reuters (British) News Agency
correspondent at Port Said reported
that the Italian transport Lussin had
entered the Suez Canal headed for
the Mediterranean today.
A second full cabinet meeting with
in q month as q result of the ever
tension Is believed certain
to be called early next week. There
has been no full meeting since the
historic session of August %, when
Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and
other ministers rushed back from
their holidays.
Baldwin will return to Downing
street from his country home tomor-
row. Other members Of the cabinet,
some Of whom resumed their inter-
rupted holidays efter the August meet
ing. are expected back III London by
Monday.
With tn results Of today's French
and Italian cabinet sessions before him
by Monday, Baldwin is expected to
lose no time in summoning his whole
cabinet to review the multitude Of de-
since late August. Tues.
day Is believed to be the likely date for
the session.