GERMANY AGGRESSIVE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1937, Page 7

GERMANY AGGRESSIVE

SATISFACTION FROM SPAIN FOR ATTACK ON CRUISER [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] BERLIN, June 22. An inflammatory declaration of Germany’s attitude on the subject of the Leipzig incident was made by Dr. P. J. Goebbels, Minister for Propaganda, when addressing 130,000 Nazis in the Olympic Stadiulm. He said: “Germany will not be satisfied with the incident being referred from one committe to another in the manner* of the Lea an c of Nations and a letter being sent to Valencia after' three months in such terms, as: ‘You naughty, naughty Bolsheviks. You know such things are not done.’ Germany does not want war, but peace, which is best served by strong action. We have found in our- domestic policy that there are people with whom one can only reason after knocking out their teeth.” The Government’s report on the “Spanish-Bolshevik submarine attack on the Leipzig” on June 18 states that a diver’s examination of the Leipzig’s hull disclosed scratches and a six-inch dent. The ve.ssel .Changed her course after noticing the torpedo, thereby grazing either the torpedo or the submarine from which it was fired.

The presence of the torpedo was also' ascertained by air bubbles and a ground • detector. Stokers and engineers heard a metallic impact on the hull when the Leipzig passed over the locality from which the torpedo was apparently laulnched. Scraping noises followed. WAR CHIEFS CONFER. (Received June 23, 10 a.m.) BERLIN, June 22. Hitler conferred with the war chiefs, including Marshal Von Blomberg and Admiral Raeder. They discussed independent measures against the Spanish Government if dissatisfied with the London talks.

The official spokesman declared that Germany’s indignation must be taken more seriously. He hinted that Germany may demand confiscation of Government merchantmen, a blockade of the harbours and' a naval demonstration. Lt.is officially stated that two loyalist submarines were near the Leipzig on June IS.

“VIRTUAL ULTIMATUM.” (Received June 23, 10 a.m.) LONDON, June 22. Mr. Eden will meet the French, German and Italian Ambassadors on the Leipzig affair, which it is feared at Whitehall may be used By Germany as an excuse for a- final rupture of nonintervention. Herr Von Ribbentrop is reported to have delivered a virtual ultimatum. , Tho fall of Bilbao, the French policrisis, and the internal difficulties in Russia are believed to have strengthened the hands of the German extremists. Britain is becoming distinctly impatient with the' German demands m regard to Spain, declares “The Times's” diplomatic correspondent. Brittain has gone as far as possible tomeet the legitimate demands of Germany and Italy, and expects some reciprocity. - ...

POWERS AT VARIANCE.

NAVAL DEMONSTRATION.

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

A " RUGBY, June 22. A communique states: The meeting of the four Powers to consider the Leipzig incident unfortunately found it impossible -to reach an agreement on the measures that should be adopted in .this case. It was considered' on the one hand that while the proposals should jointly be examined, for increasing the security of the ships of the tour Powers on the patrol, an inquiry into the circumstances should precede any step directed against the Spanish party involved. „ x On the other hand, the facts /yer e regarded as being clearly established, and the incidents were considered to require immediate active steps in order to maintain solidarity, and forestall the recurrence of such incidents. The proposal on which an agreement could not be reached was that an immediate naval demonstration, showing the flag of the four Powers should be held off. the coast of Valencia. MR EDEN’S STATEMENT. In a statement in the Commons, Mr Eden said, in view of His Majesty s Government, the principal cause o the present unsatisfactory state of affairs in Spain is the presence ot non-! Spanish nationals. Tho Committee has before it a report that provides a plan for a withdrawal of these foreigners, but some time must elapse before such a plan can ho put. into effect.. The Government. _ theretoie, has offered to place its services at the disposal of the Committee m order to facilitate and hasten the early withdrawals of foreign, combatants, which it is desired' should take place without delay. f Mr Eden also referred to .the tourPower discussions on the Leipzig incident, and intimated the British Government had no intention of joining in a naval demonstration off Valencia. Mr Attlee urged the Non-Interven-tion agreement had broken down, and Im suggested a reference of the Spanish situation to the League oi Nations. Mr Eden replied: “It is clear tho agreement, is not working as 'Ve should wish it to work, but this is an agreement to which every nation in Europe has put its name, and consequently we have gravely to considei the position which coniionts us.”

BASQUE REFUGEES. The Prime Minister, answering a Commons Question on the evacuation of Basque refugees, explained the difficulties arising from the absence since the end of last week of the conditions on which the British naval protection' had previously been given, namely, the assurance of the Basque Government, of impartiality, and the association of the British Consul with the arrangements in order to ensure that the assurance was carried out. His Majesty's Government was considering the possibility of other measures with a view to supervising

the character of the evacuation, and was in communication with the French Government, with a view toarranging a system of joint control at French ports of arrival. Meanwhile, instructions were being sent to naval authorities on the north coast of Spain to continue the protection of refugee ships, British and others, proceeding to France. Mr Chamberlain also referred to Mr Lloyd George’s suggestion that Basque women and children should be evacuated through France to Barcelona and Valencia. The Government had consulted’ France, and received a favourable reply, and if the refugees themselves wished to go in this way, the British Navy would give them protection.

REBELS’ NOTIFICATION.

HENDAYE, June 22.

The Rebel Government has informed the British Ambassador, Sir H. Chilton, that it will completely safeguard the warships of the four patrol--I’ng Powers, -and will indicate safety zones in ports.

BILBAO SURRENDERS.

(Recd. June 23, 2.30 p.m.) HENDAYE, June 20.

The surrender of the Basque militia at Bilbao was complete, three battalions handing over arms. All the police and civil guards except 400 who were sent to Santander, have joined the rebels.

REFUGEES’ PLIGHT.

ST. JEAN DE LUZ, June '2O.

A quarter of a million crowding in Santander are on the verge of starva- . tion, according to British refugees who arrived here. People are sleeping on flors and in dorways. They subsist on spoonfuls of soup and a small ration of beans, although milk.;, is plentiful. The hospitals lack doctors and nurses. Scores of wounded soldiers, with which the institutions are crowded, are dying daily. Civilians line the quay clamouring for passages on outgoing steamers.

REBEL DENIALS.

SALAMANCA, June 22.

The insurgents deny .that Bilbao was bombpd or machine-gunned from the air. They say that no insurgent plane flew over during the three days before capture.

GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO.

VALENCIA, June 22.

After a conference, the Azana Government issued a long manifesto to tho Spanish people, to the effect that although Bilbao had been evacuated, the Basque country was unconquered. It says the world will shudder when it knows the whole story. One hundred and fifty thousand people preferred to abandon the city to living under the tyranny of the invaders. The. Governinent remains confident of " ultimate victory.

LEAGUE TO TAKE OVER?

LONDON. June 21.

A proposal that the League of Nations should take over the Non-Inter-vention Committee’s «' work was made by Mr W. Nash, at a meeting of the League of Nations Union. “What can we say to this committee,” he said, “when ’ two of the’ Powers■' represented on it are intervening, and Spain is not represented? The League should force the withdrawal of foreign troßs and put Spain under a League mandate for a year.”