BRITISH SHIPS UNPROTECTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 141, 17 June 1938, Page 6

BRITISH SHIPS UNPROTECTED.

Since the middle of April, according to Mr. Chamberlain, 22 British ships have been attacked in Spanish ports, and 11 have been sunk or seriously damaged In several cases ,the attacks have appeared to be deliberate. The British Government has protested, but does not see how effective protection can be given ships entering ports that are likely to ;be the object of military attack So ships 'entering such ports do so at their own risk A British Prime Minister could hardly have been happy in making such a pronouncement In other times ships flying the British flag have had the protection of the Navy. Now, it seems, they will be protected up to the limit of Spanish territorial waters, but inside it they must take what comes to them. If those who have been bombing British ships in Spanish ports were to take the pronouncement at its face value, British trade with those ports would rapidly become impossible. Mr. Chamberlain declared the problem to be totally j different from that which arose through submarine; "piracy." No doubt it is different, but it is worth remarking that the mere knowledge that the British Government had finally and firmly resolved to tolerate no more "piracy" proved a sufficient deter Vent, and n similar demonstration of firmness in the present circumstances would not be wasted. Provided they are not carrying military supplies, British ships are legally entitled to sail into and out of Spanish ports, whether those ports are held by the Barcelona Government or the Burgos Government, and it will be a sad day for Britain if the impression gains currency that it is not prepared to maintain [ its rights.