ALMERIA HAVOC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 133, 7 June 1937, Page 7

ALMERIA HAVOC.

GERMAN SHELLING. Dead Now 25, Seriously Injured Number 40. HEAVY DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. British Official Wireless. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 6. Fuller information has now reached London regarding the havoc caused in Almeria by the bombardment last Monday by German warships as a reprisal for bombing of the Deutsclin • It is now stated that 25 people were killed and 40 seriously injured. According to a cable message, a special correspondent of the "Dailv Telegraph," in a message from Almeria, says he spent two days examining the ruins of that city. He reveals that dreadful havoc was caused by the Admiral Sclieer's bombardment. At least 8000 people are homeless, says the writer, and the damage to property is estimated at £200,000. Whole streets were destroyed. Every evening the panic-stricken population, carrying blankets and pillows, go to the hills, returning at daybreak. Even those who were wounded insist upon joining in the sad trek to the hills. The British Consulate building was among the many wrecked. The Consul luckily was staying in the country at the time of the bombardment. A message from Valencia states that the Spanish Minister of Defence, Senor Prieto, in an interview, said: "If the bombing of open towns is continued the Government probably will be obliged to meet terror with terror. If reljel frightfulness persists there will be no alternative."

The Foreign Minister, Senor Giral, announces that the Government intends to proceed juridically against the Germans for the destruction of Almeria, possibly before the Court. ° At a public meeting under the auspices ot the Palmerston North branch of the League of Nations Union to protest against the shelling of Almeria by German naval vessels as a reprisal for the bombing of the Deutsehland, on a majority decision, a carefully-prepared motion of protest, sponsored by the chair, was abandoned m favour of one more strongly * worded, which will be forwarded to the German Consul at Wellington. The amendment to the original motion was: "That this meeting records its emphatic protest against the brutal reprisals of the German Government in shelling Almeria, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the German Consul at Wellington/' The amendment was carried on a show of hands. The meeting was not a large one.PATROLLING COASTS. PROTECTION OP SHIPS. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 6. Preliminary French and German views regarding the British proposals for the protection of international Fleets engaged in patrolling Spanish waters have reached London. They are described as not entirely satisfactory but not unhopeful. They will have to be clarified. In Berlin official circles express the opinion that Germany insists upon complete safety for her warships and their crews and has informed London accordingly.

A message from Rome states that the Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, has handed to Sir Eric Drummond, British Ambassador, Italy's reply. It is understood that she agrees to resume control when the Spaniards have promised not to repeat bombing incidents. She insists upon her right to take immediate action to safeguard her crews. A further telegram from Berlin announces the death of two other ratings of the Deutscliland, bringing the total deaths to 30. " FOR GLORIOUS ITALY." AIRMAN'S DEATH IN SPAIN. (Received 2 p.m.) MADRID, June 6. After a violent offensive the rebels recaptured Lemona Ridge. A Fiat 'plane, which brought down, is of the latest Italian type of manufacture and had machine-guns dated July, 1935, and the Ministry of War stamp. The pilot's body bore a letter congratulating him on his prowess for II Duce and gloiious Italy.

BRITAIN THANKED. GERMAN WOUNDED TENDED. (Received 1.30 p.m.) GIBRALTAR, June 6. The German admiral has personally thanked the Governor of Gibraltar for the attention to the Deutschland's wounded given in the local hospital by British doctors and nurses, some of whom were flown from England in specially chartered flying boats. DECISION ALTERED WAR COUNCIL REAPPOINTED. (Received 1.30 p.m.) VALENCIA, June 6. Senor Negrin's Cabinet, one of whose first acts after succeeding the Caballero Government, was to dissolve the Supreme War Council and take over direction of the campaign itself, has now re-established the council. GERMANS GO HOME. SPANISH CONTRACTS EXPIRE. LISBON, June 6. Arrivals from Seville include 226 German volunteers. They are to embark for Germany, their contracts having expired. The party includes engineers, airmen and mechanics. t

The French Chamber of Deputies, says a Paris message, has voted £200,000 for repatriation and succour of 5000 French subjects in Spain, including 931 volunteers who are anxious to return home.