FREIGHTER SEIZED

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 154, 28 December 1936, Page 7

FREIGHTER SEIZED

BERLIN PROTESTS TO SPAIN

RELEASE DEMANDED

BERLIN, December 26. _ Germany has issued an ultimatum to the Spanish Government demanding the release of the German freighter Falos, which was seized outside Spanish waters although the cargo is alleged not to be war materials, and is threatening reprisals if the demand is ignored. An official announcement says: "Spanish 'Government warships confiscated the German steamer Palos, belonging to the Oldenburg Portuguese Company, outside Spanish territorial waters in the neighbourhood of Bilbao. The Palos, which was en route from Hamburg" to Spanish harbours, has been taken to Bilbao. The cargo, according to reliable evidence, consisted of neither direct nor indirect war material. The necessary measures for the release of the steamer have been begun. It is expected that before these are enforced the Reds will release the steamer with its cargo intact and her three passengers." It is believed that German warships are proceeding at full speed to Bilbao. Nazi spokesmen agree that the dispatch of warships makes a demonstration a most likely step. If the Palos is. surrendered intact the affair may pass off without incident, but if the Reds harm the vessel or the people aboard the situation may be very grave. The Palos is of 977 tons/ According to a Spanish report a cargo of contraband for the insurgents is now being unloaded at Bilbao.