New York, Feb. 14.
ENERAL Franco, chief of the Spanish State, has refused, in spite of strong pressure by Mussolini, to grant Spanish aid to an attack against Gibraltar, it is learned in Vichy.
The message states that Mussolini mentioned every past favour by Italy to Spain and asked Franco to pay, off the debt by provid~ ing bases for an attack, but Franco was said to have refused, Franco, it was reported. explained that starving Spain could not risk a war against. England while England was helping her with food, Mussolini was said to have promised. that Europe would feed Spain, Franco, however, remained adamant.
Mussolini. it was added, stressed need for: the bases of Cartagent Minorca and the Canary Islands—Reuter.
Franco Says "No"
London, Feb, 14, General Franco has refused to] join the Axis in a war against Grest "Britain, according to reports from Vichy quoted by the "Daily Mall: "special correspondent on the French frontier.
'The correspondent says that at! the meeting at Bordighera, Signor 'Museolini askd General' Franco either to attack Gibraltar with the the Axis powers by sea and Sir, or to allow German troops to ress Spain and grant Tlaly sea and London Has Barly Alert"
London, Feb, 14.
London had a. short alert' after dark last night, the first to be heard fat such an early hour for several nights, Shortly before the alert a high explosive bomb fell on one London district, where gunfire was also heard.
An M, 109 that attacked the Dover balloon barrage yesterday was badly damaged by a Spitfire. It disappear-fed with smoke pouring out of it, The Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique last night says: "A few enemy aircraft, for the most part flying singly, heve crossed our coasts during daylight today. Bombs were dropped at points in East Anglia and North Eeotland, The damage caused was slight and casualties were very few:*
To both, plans Franco General answered, "no."
"At. the meeting with Marshal Petain, the report adds, the French Chief "of State told General Franco that France would also not recuter the war, "Marshal Petain returned to Vichy, while General Franco is now back In. Madrid, which shows no. parti cular signs of excitement—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.