General Franco becomes Spanish rebel dictator

BURGOS -- Gen. Francisco Franco, brilliant military leader of the insurgents, assumed supreme leadership of the nationalist cause today as dictator of the provisional government and commander-in-chief of all land, sea and air forces.

Gen. Virgilio San Miguel Cabanellas, retiring as head of the revolutionary junta or government, handed over his powers to Franco at a solemn ceremony at military headquarters.

Gen. Emilio Mola, northern field commander, also took part in the ceremony. Franco flew to Burgos from the northern front. He was met in mid-air by a squadron of northern front planes and escorted to the local air field.

Tens of thousands jammed the streets to cheer Franco as he motored by.