LACK OF FACILITIES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 July 1938, Page 5

LACK OF FACILITIES.

FRANCO S “SAFE PORT.” BURGOS ASKED TO EXPLAIN ITS DISCLAIMER flßv Talegraob- Assn.-Copyright) (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 7. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. E. Attlee, in the House of Commons, asked the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, whether ho could now make a full statement with reference to General Franco’s reply to the British protest against the bombing of British ships off Spain. Mr. Chamberlain said that, ho Was not' in a position to do so, since the consultations were not yet complete. He added; “Britain has found it necessary to ask Burgos' to explain the exact meaning which Burgos attaches to a disclaimer of its intention to make deliberate attacks on British ships. Britain has frequently expressed its view that the deliberate bombing and sinking of merchantmen has never been admitted by international law, still Joss the machine-gunning of their bridges and decks.

“I might add that Burgos intimated its intention to make practical proposals With the object of humanising the warfare as far as possible,” Mr. Chamberlain added. “And I need hardly say that Britain will give any such proposals its most sympathetic consideration. “Sir Jbhn Simon has already informed the House on Burgos’s suggestion for ithe re-establishment under certain restrictive conditions of a safe port at Almeria. Preliminary examination of this suggestion has revealed certain 'difficulties, such as dcficienccs in th-3 facilities afforded by such a plan for the discharge of vessels, communications with the rest of Spain, and other factors.

"The position at the moment is that the Government has under consideration the views of Irtish shipping interests on the subject.# "The reply b the inquiry which wo have addressed®' l Burgos must of necessity take several days, but I will keep the House informed of any further developments." m THOSEf'OLUNTEEKS Received jMday, 7.45 p.m. July S.

Lavan Guardia, Senor Negrin’s mouth-piece, says there will be no withdrawal of volunteers while Germany and Italy continue intervention. He asks, assuming infantrymen are withdrawn, what guarantee will there be that foreign aircraft and artillery will mot continue assistance?