MEDITERRANEAN PIRACY

Evening Star, Issue 22879, 10 February 1938, Page 11

MEDITERRANEAN PIRACY

FRANCO BLAMES SPANISH GOVERNMENT “ PROVOKING INTERNATIONAL WAR " Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 8. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Marseilles correspondent understands that British warships have been ordered to protect the steamer Peckham. The Hendaye correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that, broadcasting from Salamanca in reference to Mr Eden s statement, General Franco denies that the rebels torpedoed British ships, and expresses the opinion that the Republicans were responsible,, as, owing to military defeat, their only exit from a difficult situation was to provoke international war.

He added: “ If a responsible Government exists in Spain it should be considered belligerent. If not, Mr Eden s declaration is incomprehensible. We do not doubt the power of the British Navy, because we saw it exercised during the northern blockade, but cannot believe it would display its strength against a country suffering from internal conflict.” MR EDEN CRITICISED IN GERMANY “ OPEN SUPPORT OF BOLSHEVISM.” LONDON, ‘February 8. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Berlin correspondent says the newspapers continue a chorus of violent disapproval of Britain’s warning to General I ranco, especially resenting the reference to piracy, which the ‘ Lokal Anzeiger ’ characterises as provocatively misleading. Others condemn the poisonous seeds Mr Eden has sown, and his open support of Bolshevism. The ‘ Hamburger Fremdenhlatt ’ declares: “ The British attitude reflects brutal indifference of an intention to exact the right of the Strong in accordance with the song ‘ Rule Britannia.’ ” It also attacks the British, French, and American naval Notes to Japan, which it describes as extremely warlike. It expresses the opinion that American and British naval concentrations at Singapore, simultaneous with President Roosevelt’s rearmament message, were intended to bring pressure on Japan, and did not indicate a pacific mind.

ANGLC-ITALIAN RELATIONS SCEPTICISM REGARDING AN AGREEMENT. LONDON, February 8. ; The Rome correspondent of ‘The Times ’ says the newspapers have made no comment editorially on the possibility of an improvement of Anglo-Ital-ian relations, suggesting scepticism with regard to an agreement, which impression is confirmed by Dr Gayda’s article in the ‘ Giornale d’ltalia ’ purporting to show that France is pouring men and material into Spain to help the Republicans. Every line of the article is an argument for the maintenance of Italian support for General Franco. The Milan 1 Ambrosiaua,’ which is in close association with official circles, expresses the opinion regarding Mr Eden’s speech that “ wo must stand by General Franco. The only means of ensuring Mediterranean security is to give General Franco full belligerent rights.” EFFECT OF SPANISH SITUATION LONDON, February 9. (Received February 10, at 8 a.in.) The diplomatic correspondent of 1 The Times ’ says the Spanish issue takes precedence over all others in affecting English and Italian relations. If they agreed on that subject the chances of the two Governments resuming the talks for a general understanding w;ould automatically improve. STEAMER PECKHAM SAFE LONDON, February 9. (Received February 10, at 11.50 a.m.) The owners have received information from Barcelona that the Peckham is safe. [A previous message stated; ‘‘The British steamer Peckham, from Odessa to Barcelona, sent a wireless SOS stating that she was being followed by warplanes off the Spanish coast.