GERMAN FLEET MOVEMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 June 1937, Page 7

GERMAN FLEET MOVEMENTS

MR. EDEN’S STATEMENT

REPORTS NOT CONFIRMED

[BRITISH OFFICIAL ’WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, June 24.

Germany’s and Italy’s decision to withdraw from the scheme of seas supervision on the Spanish coast, was communicated in the form noted to Mr. Eden. No date has been fixed for a further meeting of the Non-In-tervention Committee, of which both Germany and Italy remain members.

A debate on the International situation will take place in the Commons to-morrow. It is understood the ddiscussion will not be confined to the Spanish problem, but there will be a general survey of the world position. Mr. Eden, in answer to a question in the Commons, suggested that reports on German naval movements eastward into the Mediterranean, .should be received with great reserve. Official information received by the Admiralty did not confirm it, nor had the Non-Intervention Committee received information confirming the report of the arrival of Italian troops in Malaga and other Spanish ports. His Majesty’s ships patrolling the Malaga, area made ho report tending to show that any such development had occurred. Lord Cranbourne announced he had been informed that negotiations were progressing between the Spanish Government and the International Red Cross for the evacuation of a large number of women and children from Madrid.

“ANTI-SOVIET OFFENSIVE”

(Rec-d. June 25, 8 a.m.) LONDON, June 24.

. Germany’s assurance that the Leipzig incident is closed is accepted with certain misgivings at Whitehall, which, is anxiously watchful. It is thought Germany may possibly be persuaded that moderation is the right policy, but ithe presence of her ships in the Mediterranean is dangerous, especially as withdrawal from the control scheme means that Italy and Germany had no longer the legal right to stop" merchantmen. “The Times’s’f Berlin correspondent declares the Nazis do not conceal the fear that another . Winter campaign would be difficult ibr Franco. There have been signs that' Hitler himself believes the internal troubles in Russia favour a bold anti-Soviet offensive. The Press is filled with’ bitter denunciations of British shamelessness and hypocrisy.

A. Paris message states that France is~prepared to replace • Italo-German naval control, if Britain will cooperate. The French fleet has been ordered to be constantly prepared.

SPANISH ALLEGATIONS.

LONDON, June 24.

The Spanish Press Agefiey at Gibraltar states that 15 German warships are concentrating near Gibraltar and Tangier. A German: and three destroyers, anchored -off Algeciras last Tuesday, and boats were seen plying between the ships ? and the deserted beach. Rtimours :that ; tnen and material were landed are not confirmed.

It is reported from Lisbon that the Germah battleship, ‘ Admiral: Scheer, and three destroyers are in Lagbs Bay. in south-west. Portugal, where they were refuelling from a German tanker yesterday. It is thought the vessels will leave for the Mediterranean. The “News-Chronicle” states the battleship, Admiral Graf Spec, has left Germany for Spanish waters. . ... , GERMAN STATEMENT. : .; A < . BERLIN, June 24, According to: the- Naval Department there are only three cruisers, . ’the Nurnberg, , Kprlsrilhe, and ' Leipzig, three torpedo.'boats', and -four submarines in Spanish waters. ■ The cruiser Admiral Scheer,is replacing, the Leinr’o. a n<j the submarines are returning shortly.' . 7

mr. b.orAh’s Denunciation

WASHINGTON, June 23.

Addressing the Senate, Senator W. E. Borah (Republican), said that an adequate army and navy were needed to protect the United States against possible 'Toes from within the walls and from without the nation. He denounced' Hitlerism and' Fascism in the most-bitter terms.- ' ' “The Governments of Germany, and Italy are carrying on war against the Spanish Government,” he said. “The guns and men which massacred the people of Guernica were furnished by the German and Italian Governments. The basic principles of Nazism and Fascism are duplicity and deception. There is no law and no liberty in Germany, where men and women are hunted like wild beasts.” The Senate passed the 635,000,000 dollars War Debt Appropriation Bill.

LABOUR AND LEAGUE

LONDON. June 24

Trades-Union Council executives. National Labour members, and the Parliamentary Labour Party have instructed their delegates to the Labour Socialist International Conference at Paris, opening to ; day, to advocate the reference of the Spanish question to the League of Nations and to demand the restoration to the loyalist Government forces of the right to buy arms.