BALEARIC ISLANDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 14

BALEARIC ISLANDS.

THEIR STRATEGIC VALUE. Don Indalecio Prieto, the Spanish Socialist Minister of Public Works, obtained special authority from the Cortes in October to expend the .equivalent of £150,000 on dredging the famous harbour of Port Mahon, in the Balearic Islands, so as to enable large ships to use it. The Minister made no attempt to suggest that this work would benefit the tourist trade; but frankly referred to the military importance of Minorca and to the money spent on the defences of the Balearic Islands. These islands, he said, must be made safe against audacious or rapacious enemy action, and it is hoped to secure a contract which will enable the work to be completed within a year. Tho haste shown by the Spanish Government in these preparations has given a new filip to the rumours of an agreement with. France for military purposes in the Mediterranean.

Port Mahon, the harbour of Minorca, . was held by the British, who used it ns their advanced naval base in the Mediterranean, from 1708 to 1756, when it was lost to the French under the Due de Richelieu. Admiral By.ng, to whoso fault the loss \ was ascribed, was tried by Court-martial and shot. Port Mahon was recovered by the British in 1763 and held until 1782. It was again in British hands from 1798 to 1802.