INSURGENT PLANES

Evening Star, Issue 22722, 9 August 1937, Page 9

INSURGENT PLANES

BOMBING OF BRITISH SKIP STRONG PROTEST BEING MADE Tress Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON", August 8. Au official report from the British Consul-General at Algiers confirms the earlier report that insurgent planes attacked the British Corporal. The Consul states: “The markings o.n the aircraft indicate that they were probably insurgent planes.” A strong protest is being made to the authorities at Palma. Captain Boviil said; “ At 5.15 a.m. a terrific explosion awakened, me. 1 saw three aeroplanes flying low, dropping bombs fore and aft and in the middle of the ship. Fortunately, all missed. The planes came over a second time, and then dived down 150 ft over the ship and opened withering machine gun fire as we were attempting to take to the boats. Several bullets crashed into my cabin, and others struck the bridge. The crew rushed below and nobody was injured.” FRENCH BOAT ALSO ATTACKED MACHINE-GUNNED FROM AIR. ALGIERS, August 7. It has now been learned that a third ship was machine-gunned from the air yesterday. It was the French cargo boat Djebel Amour. As a result of the attacks the Algiers Seamen and Dockers’ Union has opposed the sailing of any vessels unless escorted by a warship. Captain Ferrito and a Dutch nonintervention observer were aboard the Mongioia, and are at present in hospital. The latter injured his right arm. Neither is in a serious condition. It was stated that the black St. Andrew’s cross with which the attacking planes were marked is one of the signs used by General Franco. It is carried on the rudders of the seaplanes of the rebel forces. A cross is also painted with other Fascist emblems on the gun turrets of rebel warships. NON-INTERVENTION OBSERVER'S REPORT ALGIERS, August 8. (Received "August 9, at noon.) The Dutch non-intervention observer aboard the Mongioia reports that a rebel three-engined seaplane dropped bombs, the second of which fell close to the hull. It lifted the vessel like a cork, buckled the plates, twisted the rails, knocked holes in the hull, tore up the engine room floor, and wrenched the engine from its bed. The body of Captain Solari was sent to Italy. OTHER CONTRIBUTORS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 7. (Received August 9, at n0,0n.) Besides Britain the other Powers parties to the non-intervention agreement who have paid all contributions are: Albania, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Irish Free State, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal. MISTAKEN FOR GOVERNMENT SHIPS, VALENCIA, August 7. A Government communication states that the British Corporal and the Mongioia were bombed by General Franco’s planes in mistake for two Government ships traversing the same route, which the rebel espionage service had reported, but they had already reached port well protected. DENIAL BY REBEL HEADQUARTERS SALAMANCA, August 8. (Received August 9, at 10.30 a.m.) General Franco’s headquarters deny that planes bombed foreign ships near the African coast, and state that no insurgent machines were ever flown, over the area indicated. A message from Algiers says that an unnamed Greek steamer was attacked at almost the same spot as the British Corporal by a plane bearing the same markings. Two bombs were dropped, but the vessel was not hit. All vessels leaving Algerian ports will be escorted either by aircraft or a warship-. THE TERUEL SECTOR DEEI\ THRUST BY REBELS. LONDON, August C. The Lisbon correspondent of ‘The Times’ says: “The Nationalist thrust in the Teruel sector resulted in an advance of 12 miles on a 15-mile front. Two thousand Government troops surrendered owing to a shortage of rations. THE 'LEIPZIG INCIDENT GERMAN SAILOR’S EVIDENCE. VALENCIA, August 8. (Received August 9, at 1.5 p.m.) The Defence Minister announces tiiat the Government has received the evidence of a sailor on the warship Leipzig, whose name is withheld, indicating that the commanders prepared to stage a torpedo attack themselves in order to be able to accuse Spain. They abandoned the idea owing to the risk, but nevertheless made the accusation, though no attack occurred.

AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS THREE HUNDRED KILLED. SALAMANCA, August 6. A captured American student declares that 300 Americans of the international brigade have been killed in Madrid! since April. NON-INTERVENTION CONTRIBUTIONS A MISUNDERSTANDING. LONDON, August 7. An official communique states that yesterday’s interpretation of the secretary’s statement at the Non-interven-tion Committee regarding non-payment of contributions was due to a misunderstanding. What it was desired to stress rvas that Britain alone of the five great Powers had paid up to date, hut as the great Powers contribute 80 per cent, of the total the deficit is large. It is officially announced that 11 small Powers have paid contributions to the Non-intervention Committee. Belgium has even paid up in advance. MOORISH PRINCE SWEARS FIDELITY TO GENERAL FRANCO. SALAMANCA, August 8. (Received August 9, at 10 a.m.) Bearing gifts and greetings from his brother, the “ Blue Sultan ” of Ifni, the Moorish Prince, Sini Mahomet Liman, called on General Franco. ( The visit is regarded as an event of some significance, since the Ifni tribe has hitherto maintained a marked troublesome attitude and independence. It is considered to he the fruits of General Franco’s policy of treating Moroccan territories as not merely valuable, but vital adjuncts, of Spain. Ifni has proved valuable to General Franco as an air base, and may become the station of the all-Spanish air route from Cauarrias to South America. Prince Liman plans to visit all the Ifni contingents in General Franco’s native army in Spain, of which the Ifni sharpshooters is the crack contingent. Prince Liman swore tribal fidelity to General Franco, who promised better conditions, RELIGION IN PRIVATE GOVERNMENT CONCESSION. MADRID, August 8. The Government has decided to permit the practice - of the Catholic religion in private, for which it is granting licenses to a large number of priests, enabling thousands of couples to remarry, many of whom were married at the front by officers. A large number of babies were baptised and graves blessed. The reopening of the churches will bo slow, ns many arc being used at present as Government storehouses. AIR BATTLE OVER SANTANDER LISBON, August 8. (Received August 9, at 11 a.m.) An air battle occurred over Santander between insurgent planes scattering General Franco’s appeals to surrender, and Government machines, 12 of which are claimed by the insurgents to have been shot down.