ATTACK ON CRUISER

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 June 1937, Page 7

ATTACK ON CRUISER

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS FULL INQUIRY URGED [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, June 21. Mr. Eden, in the Commons, described the meetings that had taken place among the four Governments which are parties to the agreement of June 12, concerning the Leipzig incident.

Mr. Eden said that the German Aniibassador presented a note reporting | the attempts made on the cruiser, and requesting His Majesty’s Government, to arrange that the four Governments should immediately concert measures to be taken in common. At the end of Mr. Eden’s statement, the Duchess of Atholl asked if the Foreign Secretary was absolutely certain the facts were as stated. Surely there should be an inquiry. Mr. Lloyd George intervened: I should like to press that proposal. Surely there should be .an independent investigation, in view of the fact that Senor Prieto definitely stated the submarines of the Spanish Government were in port at the time. Mr. Eden replied: I fully appreciate that point. Mr. Lloyd George will appreciate my position. The importance of the inquiry is very much in my mind. Our object in these meetings is to secure the best possible solution of a difficult situation. Answering a Commons question, Mr. Eden said that no reply had yet been received from the Spanish insurgents to the protest made by the British Government regarding the mining of H.M.S. Hunter. Steps were beingtaken to expedite a reply. Mr. Eden, answering another question, said he had good reason to believe that the aircraft employed by the insurgent forces in recent attacks on Bilbao included three main types of service aircraft bombers, reconnaissance planes and fighters. Mr. Eden added that the information received tended to show these aircraft were of types of Italian and German manufacture in each category.

The Foreign Secretary also told a questioner that no change was contemplated in the foreign policy of the United Kingdom Government as the result of the deliberations of the Imperial Conference.

FOUR POWERS’ ATTITUDE

LONDON, June 21

The diplomatic correspondent of thte “Daily Telegraph” says it is understood that at the meeting of the patrolling Powers on Saturday when the reported torpedo attack on the German cruiser Leipzig was considered, the German delegate • (Herr von Ribbentrop) demanded a quick decision for joint action.

Tre British delegate Mr. Eden) agreed that a serious incident had arisen and approved Germany’s undertaking consultation before independent action; -

The conference referred to the participating Government a suggested procedure: * First, that Germany should be asked to furnish more information, and that efforts should also be made to secure evidence fronj independent nonintervention officials; Second, that if the Powers were satisfied that the attacks had occurred, they should demand an apology from the Valencia Government, with an explanation and a’guarantee that there would be no repetition o/ the attacks. The Valencia Government will also bo warned that further incidents will be met by immediate gunfire on the offending vessels, and possibly their seizure and detention until the war is ended.

LONDON VISIT POSTPONED

(Recd. June 22, 11.20 a.m.)

LONDON. June 21. Baron Von Neurath’s visit to London has been postponed. An official statement from Berlin says the situation arising from the repeated “Red Spanish attacks against •German warships will not permit the absence of the Foreign Minister.” The decision caused deep disappointment at Whitehall.

RUGBY. June 21

The postponement of Baron von Neurath’s visit is regarded as all the more unfortunate in taht the incident that occasioned it is at present under consideration in London. It is felt that Baron von Neurath’s presence would have proved particularly helpful.

FOREIGN COMBA T A N T S

RUGBY, June 21

In the Commons, Mr. Eden assured the House that the Government was doing its utmost to accelerate the Non-Intervention Committee’s work on the problem of the withdrawal of the foreign combatants from Spain, and was making certain suggestions to this end. He also indicated that improvements in the naval control scheme would be discussed by the Chairman’s Sub-,Commit tee. In another answer, he said that any scheme involving placing foreign officials on Spanish territory would require me consent and collaboration of both parties in Spain, which had never been forthcoming in the past, and there was no reason to suppose it would be forthcoming now.

FALL OF BILBAO.

BEBELS PRESS ON

LONDON. June 21

The insurgents are pressing the pursuit along the road from Bilbao to Santander, and the offensive against Santander is already being prepared. General Valino has announced his intention of attacking Mount Barcaldo. where there art' many iron mines. He hopes to throw out the loyalists ai Sestayo and I’ortugaleto on the west bank of the river Nervion.

The Rome correspondent of “The Times" savs General Franco sent a telegram of enthusiastic greetings to Signor Mussolini.

The. Madrid correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph" says the news of the fall of Bilbao has only stimulated the defenders of Madrid, who declare themselves determined to “die to the last man.” Senor del Vayo. a former loyalist Minister, speaking at Albacete, said no attempts at mediation would be tolerated. Any Spanish Government