BRITAIN'S SHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 173, 23 July 1936, Page 7

BRITAIN'S SHIPS.

IN SPANISH PORTS.

Many Vessels to Protect

Subjects

BRITON IMPRISONED. British Olticial Wireless. (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 22. The Spanish disorders were the subject of a question in the House of Commons to-day, in reply to which the Foreign Under-Secretary, Viscount Crauborne, said that, owing to the stoppage of communications from most parts of Spain, it was still very difficult to obtain reliable information regarding- the position. He was able to give the House a list of British warships which had proceeded or were proceeding to Spanish ports with a view to evacuation of British subjects if necessary.

These included the Shamrock to Malaga; the Keppel to Vigo; the London, Douglas and three destroyers to Barcelona; the Devonshire to Pal ma; the Wren to Corunna; the Amphion to Teneriffe; the Keith to Valencia; the Witch to Ferrol; and the Boadicea to Alicante.

British subjects had been embarked 011 British siiipu at Algeeiras, and at all other places from which reports had been received from Consular representatives. H.M.S. Shamrock took off 25 British subjects and Americans from Malaga which, although now quiet, suffered severely from fire.

In addition to the ship movements mentioned by Lord Cranborne, it is announced that British destroyers are proceeding to San Sebastian, Bilbao and Gijon. The battleship Repulse will arrive at Gibraltar on Saturday with the Gordon Highlanders. The submarine flotilla-leader Douglas and three more destroyers left Malta for Spanish waters to-day.

The British Consul in Madrid is inquiring into the imprisonment of the Hon. Rowland Winn, correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" and 19-year-old son of Lord St. Oswald.

LINER'S DANGER. British Vessel Narrowly Escapes Bombing. POSITION AT' GIBRALTAR. (Received 11.30 a.m.) GIBRALTAR, July 22. The Governor-General, Sir Charles Harington, is returning to - Gibraltar from England. The Spanish Fleet is short of fuel and urgently requested supplies from the British authorities at Gibraltar. Rebel aeroplanes and loyal warships, it is reported, fought an engagement at Tangier, the result of which is unknown.

The F. and O. liner Cliitral, narrowly escaped being shelled in a fog when being escorted to Gibraltar by a British destroyer which was mistaken for a rebel ship- Bombs fell 40 feet astern of the Cliitral as she steamed out from Tangier.

The Spanish cruisers Cervantes and Libertad steamed into Gibraltar Bay late yesterday and turned searchlights on La Linea. It is believed that it is intended to demand the surrender of the rebels at La Linea and Algecirras within a limited time.

The officers of the British destroyer Shamrock, which brought refugees to Gibraltar from Malaga, report that the town is in flames and the principal street, called La Bios, is partly destroyed. AMERICA'S MOVE. WARSHIPS TO GO TO SPAIN. WASHINGTON, July 22. The United States battleship Oklahoma and the cruiser Quincy have been ordered to proceed to Spanish waters to protect the 1500 American nationals in Spain and evacuate them from the country if necessary. The State Department describes the move as purely precautionary. Up to the present all nationals are reported to be safe.