Evening star., 1937-01-08
France
Continued From First Page.)

France and Britain had been consult
ing for three weeks on the subject OF
Germans in Spanish Morocco, particu-
larly in regard to fortification of
Ceuta, which because it is almost di-
rectly opposite Gibraltar is of great
stragetic importance.
(Ceuta and Gibraltar are separated
by II miles of straits).
zone report said there were 1000
Germans at Ceuta, 500 at Melilla and
800 at Larache)
The report from the French Moroc-
can administrator said:
l. German marines had reached
Ceuta to speed preparations for re-
ception of large bodies Of troops.
2. German engineers were supervis-
ing construction Of Ceuta Notifications
that would rival those Of Gibraltar.
3. Portions of numerous Spanish
Moroccan commercial concessions. in
cluding the Melilla iron mines, had
been granted to Germans.
Wedge to Bargain With.
Despite the fact that Germany re-
nounced any claims in Morocco under
the treaty Of Versailles, the French
administrators report stated the
Reich's intention was to drive a wedge
there to serve as bargaining weapon
on the question of the colonies Ger
many lost because of the World War
and which she now wants back.
French n-intervention plans. with
which Great Britain was said to be in
full accord, include readiness to take
immediate measures to stop the flow Of
men and materials to Spain through
this country, provided all other powers
on the Neutrality Committee adopt
similar measures.
France also is ready to submit meas
ures for the most absolute control" of
all war shipments to Spein, officials
added.
She will propose that administrative
measures be adopted in all countries
concerned to put such a ban into
force quickly. These might be fol-
lowed by any legislative measures
needed to stop loopholes, the officials
explained.
Blum Ready to Act.
They said the government Of Pre-
mier Leon Blum was willing to 60 be-
fore Parliament with such plans.
The question Of indirect" interven-
ton was described by the French Of
ficials as more difficult." But. they
added, it likewise should be taken up
quickly.
In answer to Italo-German sugges-
tions that foreigners already In Spain
be withdrawn, these ofhcials said it
would not be dificult to recall volup-
teers sent as organized units, but that
1t would be harder task to ferret out
individual soldiers Of fortune.
Great Britain and France. the Of
ficials affirmed, would 60 as far as
agreeing to an international blockade
to prevent the arrival Of new men and
if other countries consented
to such a patrol.
Ordered to Be on Guard.
Meanwhile, France ordered the mill
tary and naval might of her vast Co.
lonial empire on guard today against
growing dangers of war on three con-
tinents.
While ministers canvassed every Dip
lomatic means to maintain peace,
these significant developments on land
and sea were reported:
l. A French army Of 10000 men was
understood to have been ordered into
action in Syria to meet Turkish
threats Of force to set up a separate
government for the City of Alexan-
dretta on the border between Turkey
and the French Syrian mandate.
2. The Atlantic feet moved into
strategic position in Spanish waters
"in case they are needed in connec-
ton with the Spanish crisis"
8. Army and navy chieftains met in
the Office OF Pierre vienot. undersecre-
tary for North Africa, to discuss the
defenses Of Morocco.
simultaneously, Alphonse Cashier.