MYSTERY OF GUERNICA HORROR DEEPENS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1937, Page 7

MYSTERY OF GUERNICA HORROR DEEPENS.

AIR RAID GUILT.

Germans Deny Attacks on Helpless Civilians.

BEVULSION IN EUROPE

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, April 28,

The mystery of the destruction of Guernica has deepened by official denials thai insurgent 'planes participated in the raid. A communique invites journalists to verify the claim by inspecting their records.

The Basques are puzzled to explain the attack owing to the strategic unimportance of Guernica, but believe the insurgents hoped to shake the defenders' morale by destroying their "Holy City."

The President, Senor Aguirre, in a proclamation front Bilbao, makes a "passionate, burning protest" against suggestions that Guernica and Eibar were destroyed by Republicans.

"German aeroplanes bombarded the defenceless civil population with unexampled savagery," he adds. "I ask the civilised world, can it countenance the extermination of a people who always regarded defence of liberty and democracy as the most precious principle

Repercussions of the raid have roused indignation throughout Europe. British and French opinion and official quarters are deeply concerned. Germany angrily denies reports that German bombers were responsible.

Dispatches from Hendaye state that General Mola is reported to have warned the Basque Government that he will raze Bilbao unless the town surrenders.

DEEPLY DEPLORED. British Government's Feeling Of Revulsion. CRUELTIES OF SPANISH WAR. British Official Wireless. (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 28. "The British Government deeply deplores the bombardment of the civilian population in the Spanish war wherever it may occur, and whoever may be responsible, and the Government will continue to examine whether further steps are possible to prevent a recurrence of such deplorable events."

This statement was made in the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, in answer to a question, by private notice, of the Leader of the Opposition arising out of reports of the aerial bombardment, by Spanish insurgent aeroplanes, of Guernica.

A large number of supplementary questions followed Mr. Eden's answer, some inspired by partisan sympathy for one side or the other, but all showing profound horror at the cruelties which a continuation of the civil war is inflicting on numerless innocent Spaniards in the territories on both sides.

Mr. Eden reiterated the regret of the Government at the bombing of civilians, and its desire to see an end put to it by agreement between the two sides in Spain.

He was able to inform the House that both sides had now, on the initiative of the British Government, given assurances of their* intention not to resort to the use of poison gas as a weapon of civil war.

LABOUR PROTEST. Guernica Bombing Climax of Shame and Horror. BRITISH PEELING ROUSED. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 28. The executive of the British Labour party passed a resolution stating that the sufferings of the Spanish people had reached a climax of horror and shame in the criminal bombing of Guernica, by German 'planes, under command of rebel generals.

British Labour denounces this outrage on defenceless people, for which there was no shadow of military reason or excuse, as an outrage to humanity and • violation of the principles of civilisation, and requests the British Government, through the League of Nations, to examine the whole problem of bombing open towns and the indiscriminate slaughter of non-combatants.