FIRE RETURNED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 174, 24 July 1936, Page 7

FIRE RETURNED.

BRITISH DESTROYER.

Warning of Retaliation Given

After Air Bombing.

REBEL CHIEF APOLOGISES. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) GIBRALTAR, July 23. A number of bombs dropped from Spanish aeroplanes when flying off Tarifa, exploded near the British destroyer, Wild Swan, which returned the fire and sailed back to Gibraltar.

It appears that the Wild Swan fired at aeroplanes which were endangering the P. and O. liner Cliitral. Britain has made a protest against indiscriminate bombing and threatens retaliatory action if it is continued.

Britain and France have jointly drawn the attention of Spain to possible difficulties if Tangier is used as the base of action by the Spanish Fleet.

General Franco, leader of the rebels, has written to the authorities at Tangier declaring that if the mutinous Fleet is not allowed to use the bay as a fuelling and provisioning base the town will be bombed.

The president of the Council of Control has agreed to discuss the situation

The acting-Governor-General of Gibraltar has protested to General Franco for permitting rebel 'planes to fly over Gibraltar, which is contrary to the international convention.

A rebel aeroplane aimed two bombs at the Bland Line steamer Gibel Dersa, at the entrance to Tangier Harbour. The British destroyer Whitehall responded with three warning shots.

General Kinderline, chief of the rebel air force, went to Gibraltar from Ceuta and apologised on behalf of General Franco to the British authorities for the bombing incidents involving Gibraltar and British merchant ships.

Spanish warships left their anchorage last night with only their navigation lights showing. Another attack 011 the Fleet had been made in the evening. Four large aeroplanes from Ceuta dropped bombs around the Cervantes, Libertad and Jaime Primcro ineffectively.

A large crowd watched the battle. The scene was unprecedented in Gibraltar Bay. Considering the terrific fire from the warships' anti-aircraft guns, the air bombing was very accurate. The aircraft returned to Ceuta safely.

BRITISH TOURISTS. SAFETY MEASURES TAKEN

British Official Wireless. (Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, July 23. Additional measures for the safety of British visitors, in view of the continued disturbed situation in Spain, are being taken. Reassuring reports regarding tourists have been received from a number of centres while, in other cases, arrangements have been made for the evacuation of British and other nationals.