BRITISH PETROL-CARRIER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 267, 24 August 1936, Page 5

BRITISH PETROL-CARRIER.

GOVERNMENT WARSHIP’S ACTION. PROMPT INVESTIGATION MADE. (United Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) •LONDON, August 23. A salient incident from the British viewpoint is the stopping of a mercantile steamer by a Spanish warship, leading to prompt investigatory action. A Spanish Government warship stopped and searched the Bland TransMediterranean liner Gibel Zerjon, carrying petrol cargo, ten miles from her destination, Melilla, where the vessel has not yet arrived. The battle cruiser Repulse, accompanied by the destroyers Cording,ton and Veuetia, left Gibraltar, 135 miles from Melilla, to make investigations. The destroyer Wolsey is going to Melilla from Malaga, the base for the Spanish cruisers Libertad and Cervantes and the destroyers Alcala, Galiano, Churruca, and Lepanto. The lastnamed is at present patrolling the Straits of Gibraltar. The Foreign Secretary (Mr 11. A. Eden) was informed of the Gibel Zerjon incident, which is not regarded as manifesting serious features, though justifying prompt steps pending ascertainment of the full facts. TO REMAIN ON HIGH SEAS. WARSHIPS AT .FULL SPEED. (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, August 23. The Gibraltar correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the Spanish cruiser flew the loyalist flag. Pettyofficers who boarded the Gibel Zerjon after the discovery of the petrol cargo prohibited the captain from entering Malilla and suggested that the cruiser escort the Gibel Zerjon to Malaga. The captain refused and sent a wireless message to Gibraltar for assistance. He was instructed to remain on the high seas until joined by the Codringtou and Wolsey. She is therefore cruising about awaiting the arrival of these escorts. It is understood that the Codrington’s commander lias been ordered to fire if obstructed. The Repulse, after completing her crew, who were scatteied all over the Rock of Gibraltar, sailed at full steam from the harbour within three hours. It is a coincidence that the loyalist warship was so conveniently near when supplies of petrol at Malaga were heavily reduced owing to the destruction of the petrol tanks by the rebel bombardment. The naval correspondent of the “Telegraph” reiterates that in the absence of formal declaration of war, or the declaration of a blockade, the stopping of foreign merchantmen outside territorial waters is wholly illegal. The incident, following so soon alter the Spanish Government’s declaration that our ships would not be molested on the high seas, suggests lack of co-ordina-tion between the Madrid Government and the naval authorities. The possible explanation of the Kamerun and Gibel Zerjon incidents is that most Spanish Government warships are controlled by lower-declc ratings, ignorant of international usage.