MADRID SHELLED

Evening Star, Issue 22721, 7 August 1937, Page 17

MADRID SHELLED

BOMBARBMEHT LASTS AN HOUR THREE WOMEN KILLED IN CENTRE OF CITY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright MADRID, August 6. (Received August 7, at 10 a.m.) A bombardment, lasting an hour, killed a number, including three women, in the centre of the pity. Buildings were extensively damaged, and tram drivers abandoned their cars for the first time during a bombardment. " “ BRITISH STEAMER BOMBED ESCAPES WITH SLIGHT DAMAGE. ALGIERS, August 6. (Received August 7, at 10 a.m) The steamer British Corporal arrived and reports that three monoplanes bombed her for an hour. There were no casualties and slight damage. When the crew attempted to take to the boats the planes swooped down and machine-gunned them, forcing them to shelter. - It is reported that planes also bombed the Italian steamer Mongolia when aiding the British Corporal, seriously wounding the master, Captain Verrito. LADEN WITH BENZINE , LONDON, August 6. (Received August 7, at 2 p.m.) The steamer British Corporal was homeward bound laden with benzine when attacked. The first news of the bombing came from Marseilles, when it was reported that "the vessel had sent out an SOS imploring assistance. The Admiralty stated later, however, that the British Corporal had cancelled the SOS and was going to Algiers. NON-INTERVENTION COMMITTEE LITTLE PROGRESS MADE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 6. (Received August 7, at noop.) After sitting for an hour and a-half at the Foreign Office the Non-interven-tion Sub-committee decided to ask the chairman and the secretary of the Nonintervention Board for a report on its observations on the scheme for restoring and improving the scheme of control. At the beginning of the meeting Lord Plymouth said he was able to record some progress towards elimination of the difficulties in securing the adoption of the British proposal, but unfortunately not sufficient to enable the committee to proceed. However, he had found all the representatives equally anxious to avoid a breakdown of the committee’s work, and he thought a report and the suggestions of the kind which the committee later agreed to ask for would be valuable, while he continued to explore a way out of the difficulties. The Soviet representative intimated his Government’s inability to modify its opinion against recognition of belligerent rights in favour of the Spanish insurgents. The German representative said unilateral control could clearly not go on indefinitely. In reply to the Russian representative’s request for a specific statement that/the German, Italian, and Portuguese Governments would agree unconditionally to the withdrawal of volunteers, M. Monteiro emphasised the essential interdependence of the British proposals, which the Portuguese Government had accepted in principle as a whole. Signor Grandi reiterated that specifically and categorically the Italian Government accepted the British plan in principle. The committee also heard a statement from the secretary showing that many Government were in arrears in their payments under the non-interven-tion plan, and the representatives present agreed immediately to inform their Governments of the situation with a view to the necessary payments being made. , ■ The committee is unlikely to meet again for at least a fortnight. PAYMENTS IN ARREARS DISCLOSURE INCREASES SCEPTICISM. LONDON, August 6. (Received August 7, at 12.5 p.m.) Scepticism regarding non-interven-tion has increased, following the disclosure of financial difficulties at the chairman’s sub-committee meeting when the secretary’s statement showed that many Governments were in arrears with their payments. The Associated Press understands that the secretary pointed out that very little was left in the coffers. Only Britain was not in arrears, and the British Treasury was determined not to provide more money until the others paid up both arrears and current subscriptions due on August 8. This announcement was greeted with polite silence until Lord Plymouth pointed out that if the position was riot clarified the chairman’s sub-committee might be called next week to consider finances, upon which ambassadors, who fear their chances of August holidays vanishing, hastily announced that they would approach their Governments, and no doubt the money would be forthcoming. The Associated Press understands that 80 per cent, of the cost is borne by England, France, Italy, Germany, and Russia, to which England and Germany alone subscribed on June 8, Britain’being the sole contributor.

FRANCO’S AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY RECEIVED BY HERR HITLER;' BERLIN, August 6. (Received August 7, at 1 p.m.) Senor Amrqucs Demagas presented his credentials to Herr Hitler as General Franco’s ambassador to Germany. Herr Hitler declared: “ It is my wish and Germany’s wish that General Franco’s army succeeds in securing peace in Spain and averting the danger which menaces Europe. I algo wish Spanish-German trade to be promoted as far as possible.” Senor Demagas declared: “Nationalist Spain is united with' Germany in common hatred of Communism. Spain is unlimitedly grateful for Germany’s help and friendship.” He added that many Nazi principles would be applied to Spain,