AMERICAN DESTROYER BOMBED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 274, 1 September 1936, Page 5

AMERICAN DESTROYER BOMBED

BY ’PLANE OFF SPANISH COAST. PROTEST FROM WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON, August 30. From South Dakota, where he is on a tour of the western drought areas, Mr Roosevelt telephoned to Mr Cordell Hull (Secretary of State) to make the strongest representations to both the Madrid Governmenlt and the rebel leaders at the bombing of the destroyer Kane by an unidentified aeroplane 38 miles off the Spanish coast. The number of bombs dropped near the vessel has not been revealed, but according to reports received by the State Department none hit the cruiser. There was no damage or casualties. The time of the bombing and l other details are not at present known. The Kane was on duty in Spanish waters evacuating Americans. It was later revealed that the bombing happened at 4.10 p.m. to-day, several hours after the Kane had left Gibraltar for Bilbao. The department’s report declared that a low-winged trimotored monoplane, without markings, three times attacked, dropping a total of six bombs. The Kane retaliated with nine discharges of an anti-aircraft gun, driving the monoplane away. Notes, the text of which has been withheld, have been forwarded to Madrid and t« General Franco. The department indicated that it believed the attack was the result of mistaken identity, although the Kane carried the American Hag, both on the foremast head and horizontal on a deck awning.

DISSENSION AMONG REBELS. FOREIGN LEGION DESERTERS. LONDON, August 31. The Madrid correspondent of the “News-Chronicle” says the foreign legionaries whom General Franco induced to Spain by promising extra pay, free loot, and grants of land, are rebelling against the insurgent generals on the Guadarrama front. Some crossed no man’s land at Navalperal and Somosierra and surrendered. Officers overpowered 18 others, who were sent to Burgos. There they were shot. Others were disarmed and imprisoned. Deserters from Navalperal assert that before embarkation, troops in three camps in Morocco rose against General Franco. Numbers were shot and imprisoned for refusing to take up arms against the Government. The St. Jean cle Luz correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” regards the desertions, which have extended to the army attacking Irun, as significant. They are so frequent that the officers cannot trust their men. Some fear that if the war does not favour the insurgents, thousands of privates in the cities behind the lines may mutiny and join the socialists and communists.