ITALIAN REACTION TO DEUTSCHLAND INCIDENT

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22108, 2 June 1937, Page 9

ITALIAN REACTION TO DEUTSCHLAND INCIDENT

Bombing Causes Intense Indignation in Rome WITHDRAWAL FROM SUPERVISION SCHEME ANNOUNCED Mussolini and Hitler to Act Jointly Against Spain (UNITED PRE 33 ASSOCIATION—COPTOIGHT.) (Received June 1, 8.30 p.m.) ROME, May 31. The bombing of the Deutschland has caused intense indignation. Signor Mussolini did not attend the baptism of the infant son of the Crown Prince, the reason for his absence being ascribed to a long telephone 'Conversation with Herr Hitler. It is believed that if Italian vessels are again bombed, Italy will also bombard a Spanish city. Meanwhile the Government has issued the following communique:— "Repeated attacks against Italian and German warships having plainly proved a premeditated plan of aggression, Italy has decided to withdraw from the international control scheme, and its members will withdraw from the International Nonintervention Committee until means are adopted to prevent new criminal attacks." The communique states that Italy is .sending naval reinforcements to Spain. Semi-official comment emphasises that Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler will act jointly against the Spanish Government in the event of further provocation. They also expressed a determination to stand firm in Spain until the end of the war. Therefore, it is considered, the British proposals for an armistice are dead and buried.

BOMBARDMENT OF ALMERIA

German Reprisal Admitted NO FURTHER RESTITUTION TO BE DEMANDED tBMI'I'MP PBBBS 4SSOCIATION—COPTHIOHT.) VALENCIA, May 31. | An official communique issued at Valencia states that the commandant at Almeria has reported that a German battleship, the Admiral Scheer, and four destroyers opened flre on Almeria without warning, 200 shots falling throughout the city. The coastal batteries replied to the bombardment, which ceased after 65 minutes. The German ships then turned, throwing a smoke screen round them. The Germans also fired on minesweepers, which were hastily beached. The coastal fcattery apparently hit one of the destroyers. So far as can be ascertained 36 svere killed, 65 injured, and IQO are missing. There are no military objectives in the town. British subjects in Almeria during the bombardment included Sir George Young, the former British attache at Madrid, nurses, and four ambulance attendants. "Decision Taken Independently" The Loyalist Cabinet was convened upon the receipt of the news and Senor Del Vayo, its representative at Geneva, was instructed to discuss the situation with League members after officially notifying the League of the bombardment. A Berlin communique states: "As a reprisal for the criminal attack on the Deutschland, which was lying .at anchor in a fortified harbour, Almeria was bombarded by German naval forces this morning. The reprisal was broken off and concluded after the harbour works had been destroyed and the coastal batteries silenced. Germany's decision regirding reprisals was naturally . taken independently. German warships in Spanish waters have been ordered to fire on any Spanish aeroplane or warship approaching them." Incident Considered Closed A further communique states: •Germany's representative on the Non-In\ervention Committee has been instructed to submit officially corroborated evidence of the attack . on the German warship and notify it of the Government's decision not to participate in the control system ot the meeting of the Non-interven-tion Committee as long as there is »o absolute guarantee given that auch acts will not recur." The German Ambassador to Lon- ,' don (Herr von Ribbentrop' has sent a letter to the Non-intervention [Committee stating that Germany Vrill discontinue to participate in the * patrol scheme or the discussions of the Non-intervention Committee '■ Until she receives guarantees against * recurrence of these incidents. * A spokesman at the German For- <: eign Office states that the bombard- ' .Went ends the Iviza incident. No \ further claim will be made and no * .further restitution will be demanded 'X Unless Germany is provoked by ad- ;, tftional Spanish acts of aggression.

HORRORS OF THE ATTACK

MUTILATED BODIES IN STREETS ANCIENT CATHEDRAL BADLY DAMAGED (TTHITBD FBiaS ASSOCIATIOH —COPT*IOHT.) (Received June 1, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. The Almeria correspondent of "The Times" says the coast batteries fired 70 shells, forcing the German ships to withdraw from the shore. Some of the attackers were enveloped in smoke which, it is believed, was the result of direct hits from the batteries. When the cannonading began multitudes of panic-stricken people rushed into the streets. Their terror was increased when houses and walls crashed down on all sides and nauseating fumes spread from the bursting shells. Many were injured by falling debris. A similar fate overcame those who remained in the houses. Numerous dead lie buried in the ruins and portions of mutilated bodies are to be seen in the streets. It is feared that the death-roll when complete will be high. Four of the chief streets suffered heavily, some of the shells destroying three houses in every four. The telephone and electric light systems were almost destroyed. The sixteenth century cathedral was badly damaged. Some of the shells were of 11inch calibre and 39 inches long. I

CALMNESS URGED IN CAPITALS

OFFICIAL COMMENT FAVOURS RESTRAINT (Received June 2, 1 a.m.) LONDON, June 1. The keynote of official comment in London and Paris is the necessity of keeping calm. The Spanish, Government observes a similar restraint, and has declined further comment beyond a statement recounting all the facts to the League. The French newspapers, while expressing the hope that the incident is closed, regret that Germany showed a brutal and violent reaction which the Italians wisely avoided, in the case of the bombing at Palma. . The German newspapers indulge in diatribes against Bolshevism, but the tenor of the. comment indicates that the official policy there also is to use the "soft pedal."