PIRACY PATROL

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1937, Page 5

PIRACY PATROL

■ DECISION MADE INTERVENTION NAVAL PATROL. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright!. (Received this day at 10.0 .p.m.) LONDON, September 17. England and France have decided to discontinue the non-intervention naval patrol of the Spanish coast, as the destroyers engaged in this service are needed for more urgent and important work combating piracy in the Mediterranean.

Lord Plymouth convoyed this decision to the members of the Non-Inter-vention Committee in a circular letter which indicated that control would be continued by observers aboard neutral ships entering Spanish ports, while French control will be continued on the Franco-Spanish frontier. ‘ Portugal has also promised to maintain control of her frontiers.

Speculation is now arising whether .the abandoned patrol will mean the disappearance of the non-intervention scheme, with the possibility in view of Mussolini’s reported intention to send more troops to Spain, of France opening her frontier. SPANISH ALLEGATION AGAINST ITALIANS GENEVA, September x 6. Senor Negi'in said there were numerous proofs ol Mediterranean sinkings by deliberate action, under direct o r ders from the head of the Italian State, who publicly boasted of the support given to the military rebellion. Senor Negrin 'begged tlie League To have courage and face facts. By the exclusion of Spanish shipping from the Nyon Agreement, international law had been profoundly shaken. He demanded inclusion. BRITISH DESTROYERS SENT .RUGBY, September T». The destroyers “Boreas” and “Bodicea” left Portsmouth to join the Fourth Flotilla of the Home Fleet; augmenting the British naval iorces carrying out the in the Mediterranean. MORE ITALIAN AID PARIS, September 16. , M. Delbos is reported to have expressed appreciation to- Mr Eden, that Mussolini is increasing the assistance of the insurgents, owing to the Nyon Agreement. ITALIAN DENIAL. ROME, September 17. Official circles categorically deny a report in the Paris Socialist newspapers that Italy sold to Genet al Franco 12 submarines which were manned with Italian volunteers. A report that Signor Mussolini had sent 12 submarines to the Dardanelles with instructions to engage in piracy is also denied. CONFERENCE AGREEMENT. (Received this day at 10.45 a. in.) GENEVA, September 17. Nyon conference agreed to the text of the annexes relating to naval aerial attacks, which are being signed this evening. DECISION OF NATIONS. HAGUE, September 17. The Dutch and Indian Governments are expected to give an early decision regarding tlie use ol bases in Java, the expense of whose construction it may defray. GENEVA, September 17. England, France, Bulgaria, Egypt, Greece, Rumania, Turkey, Russia, am! Yugoslavia signed the new anti-piracy accord, extending the Nyon agreement to firing on pirate aeroplanes and surface vessels. Italy will be invited to join.