BOMB DAMAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 177, 29 July 1938, Page 7

BOMB DAMAGE.

BRITISH SHIPS HIT.

Five Casualties on Vessel at Valencia. MORE LOYALIST SUCCESSES. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 2 p.m.* MADRID. July 28. Two were killed and three injured on the British steamer Kellwya! formerly the Marie Llewellyn, which was damaged by a bomb dropped from close range at Valencia. Those killed include a Danish non-intervention officer. Another British steamer, the Stanleigh. was damaged in the same raid, l>ut there were no casualties. The "Daily Telegraph" Hcndaye oorsays the Oovcrnraent's Ebro offensive is still making headway, but its progress is slower. The major "operation is still the iiattle for possession of Nagunto and Valencia, where the Lovalists are stubbornly resisting and inflicting heavy casualties on the rebels. An earlier cable from London stated that the Government forces" advance toward fJandesa continues. General Franco's troops so far have made onlr weak resistance.

The operation was so well timed that General Francos offensive against \aleifcia ho* died down, while his forces are being diverted to meet the thi«at on his flank. Aircraft also have been withdrawn from the Teruelroad.

The weakness of General Franco's resistance .s partly explained by the claim that the civ,l population and manv of nis own troops facilitated the Governor™ ,£""! a i vaMCC - Th ' *»«*** has strengthened the Government morale. Sonera Francos headquarters do not deny the setback, but claim that their neaTilv. rUnishin ? th * attackers

SPAIN AND ITALY.

Britain Will Push on With Non-intervention.

FOREIGN MINISTER'S VIEWS.

RUGBY. Julv 28. Speaking in the House of Lords on s£«T ?~ m SP™' ' he Foreign Secretary. \ .scount Halifax, said the policy of the British Government wal st.ll to push on with non-intervention. It had recened a reply from the Spanish Republican Government and he hoped to receive one from the Xation-

. ™ nndent tbat with goodwill on both, sides there need 1* no great delay ,n making real progress." Lord Halifax added. Both sides knew that it at any time it seemed possible for the services of the British Government to be usefully invoked for the establishment of an armistice, those services would most willingly be made available. Referring to relations between Britain and Italy. Lo rd Halifax said the agreement with Italy was closelv linked with the Spanish problem, and it had been a matter of great regret to the British Government that the prerequisite conditions upon which the agreement stood still remained unfulfilled.

The British Government had been gratified by the collaboration of Italv, and it only regretted that the agreement so far had not improved Italian relations with France, because one of its objects was Ut create confidence in the Mediterranean, and until FrancoItalian relations could be placed on a proper footing that confidence could not be secured. NAVAL CONTROL. Proposals Considered Unfair By Loyalists. POINTS IN NOTE TO BRITAIN. LONDON-, July 28. The Spanish Republican Foreign Minister, Don Julio del Vayo, sharplr criticised as unfair some of the provisions for naval control of the Spanish coasts. He added that the plan was unjust in many respects, and the Republicans' acceptance of it was proof of their desire to collaborate far peace.

The Xole to Britain asks that in spite of the Republicans' acceptance, the Non-intervention Committee should reconsider the air control plan, which does not prevent pro-rebel countries from flying aeroplanes and war materials to the insurgents.

The Note says the withdrawal plan does not extend to war materials and leaves open intervention in this wav. It suggests that withdrawals should be firstly of aviators, artillerymen, technicians and staff officers.

The Government considers the sea control system to be partial and disadvantageous to it.