FOOD FOR BILBAO

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 173, 19 April 1937, Page 9

FOOD FOR BILBAO

Independent Labour Plans to Send Ship HOPE TO RUN BLOCKADE By Telegraph.—Press Assu.—Copyright. (Received April 18, 7.30 p.m.) London, April 18. Mr. James Maxton, M.P., chairman of the Independent Labour Party, and Mr. Fenner Brockway, general secretary, have secured an option, expiring on April 20, on a British vessel in order to take foodstuffs to Bilbao. They are now trying to raise £40,000. Mr. Brockway explained: “We are taking the responsibility for raising this money from the public with a view to the formation'of a limited liability company among anti-Faseists. We already have every hope of success. We are not accepting gifts, but are prepared to accept loans on the understanding of possible risks and on the basis that when the task is fulfilled the ship will be sold and the loans repaid proportionately to the amount received. “We hope that the ship, which will bear a British name, will sail on Wednesday, proceed to the three-mile limit under British protection, and then make a dash for Bilbao,” Mr. Brockway added. “POTATO” JONES PACKS UP FOR HOME Cannot Risk Lives of His Crew (Received April 18, 7.30 p.m.) St.-Jean-de-Luz, April 17. “Potato” Jones, master of the 000ton British merchant vessel Mary Llewellyn, whose disgust at affairs is increased by the nickname by which he is known throughout the world, which he declared to be most uncomplimentary, went ashore this morning and discussed the position with the partners in the Mary Llewellyn. He later faced a raging Bay of Biscay gale and steamed out. Jones refused to reveal his plans, but according to the “Sunday Graphic” correspondent, he told the officer commanding the British destroyers: “I am packing up for Avonmouth.” Jones was enraged over the in activity and told the British United Press correspondent that since the time of the Spanish Armada nothing had been heard of the Spanish Navy. He was sick to think of the miserable vessels intimidating the British Navy and shipping. “If I had only myself to consider I would be at Bilbao, but I can’t risk the lives of my crew,” he said. Attempt to Kun Blockade. Jones, who left St.-Jean-de-Luz in an attempt to reach Bilbao on Friday, failed in his attempt to run the rebel blockade of the port, and returned to St.-Jean-de-Luz in a real “Welsh rage,” which made the current storm seem calm by comparison. Apparently he had arranged before his departure to meet the skipper of another merchantman equipped with wireless to accompany him to Bilbao, but his companion was unable to make the rendezvous because his owners forbade him to leave port. “Potato” Jones therefore turned back, entering St.-Jean-de-Luz simultaneously with “Ham-and-Egg” Jones in the Sarastone, who had abandoned his voyage to Bordeaux, apparently because of naval instructions. A pilot boarded the Mary Llewellyn, in accordance with law, but “Potato” Jones, after declaring that he was capable of doing his own pilotage, ran the pilot out of the cabin. Advice From Destroyer. The St.-Jean-de-Luz correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that “Potato” Jones, who emerged from retirement owing to the Spanish war, says: “When I was 15 miles from Bilbao a British destroyer signalled advising me not to enter Spanish waters. I returned, as I did not wish to act contrary to the advice. I am still willing to have'a shot at running the blockade if I am accompanied by a vessel carrying wireless to assist me if I am attacked on the high seas.” ADMIRAL BLAKE’S VISIT (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, April 16. H.M.S. Hood arrived at La Rochelle yesterday morning. Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, who is now in charge of the British patrol, went ashore and motored, with three members of his staff, to St.-Jean-de-Luz, where, after spending half an hour in conference with Commander Caslon, senior destroyer commander, he visited Sir Henry Chilton, British Ambassador to Spain, now at Hendaye. Admiral Blake spent the night at St.-Jean-de-Luz. This is the first opportunity he has had since leaving Gibraltar of discussing the situation with Sir Henry Chilton.