SPANISH CITY SHELLED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 1 June 1937, Page 7

SPANISH CITY SHELLED

GERMAN WARSHIPS’ ACTION NINETEEN KILLED: FIFTY-FIVE INJURED STEP TAKEN AS REPRISAL (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received June 1, 10.5 a.on. GENEVA, May 31. The loyalist Government informed Senor Del Vayo, National Government representative at Geneva, that German cruisers aud two destroyers began bombarding Almeria at 7 a.m. as a reprisal for the, Deutschland incident. This is the first open act of aggression against the Valencia Government by German warships. A grave view is taken of the action. The Spanish Embassy is informed that live German warships participated in the bombardment. German submarines are attacking the shipping. An official statement from Valencia says: The Commandant of Almeria has reported that a German battleship and four destroyers opened fire on Almeria without warning, 200 shots falling throughout the city. Many victims have succumbed and several buildings have been destroyed. lhe coastal batteries replied. The bombardment ceased after 05 minutes. The fleet then turned, throwing a smoke screen around it. The Germans also fired at mine-sweepers, which were hastily beached. The coastal battery apparently hit one of the destroyers. The Loyalist Cabinet was convened upon the receipt of the news. Senor Del Vayo lias been instructed to discuss the situation with the League members after officially notifying the League of the bombardment. An official statement from Valencia of the casualties thus far ascertainable reports 19 killed and 55 injured, and 39 houses destroyed. British subjects present in Almeria during the bombardment included Sir George Young, also two nurses aud four ambulance attendants. STATEMENT FROM BERLIN, “REPRISAL FOR CRIMINAL ATTACK.” Received June 1, 10.15 a.m. BERLIN, May 31. ,An official announcement states: “As a reprisal for the criminal,attack on the Deutschland when lying at anchor, the fortified harbour of Almeria was bombarded by German naval forces this morning. The reprisal was broken off and concluded after the harbour works had been destroyed and coastal batteries silenced. “Germany’s decision regarding the reprisals was naturally taken independently. German warships in Spanish waters have been ordered to fire on any Spanisb aeroplane or war- • ship approaching them. A further statement reads: “Germany’s representative on the Non-Intervention Committee has been instructed to submit officially corroborated evidence of the attack on the German warship and to notify it of the Government’s decision not to participate in the control system or the Non-Inter-, vention Committee as long as there is no absolute guarantee given that such acts will not recur.” German officials insist on the Deutschland’s perfect right to berth at I riza harbour because, under the control system, ships off duty can enter the three-mile zone and anchor wherever they deem fit. Shore leave lias been cancelled at all German ports. ITALY WITHDRAWS WARSHIPS. I NO PARTICIPATION IN CONTROL SCHEME. Received June 1, 10.15 a.m. LONDON,' May 31. The German Ambassador in London (Herr Joachiit von Ribbentrop has sent a letter to the Non-Intervention Committee stating that Germany will discontinue her participation in the patrol scheme or the discussions of the committee until she receives guarantees against a recurrence of the incidents. It is understood that Italy will also abstain from the meetings pending satisfaction. Italy also is withdrawing her warships from the control scheme. The meeting of the Non-Intervention Committee has been indefinitely postponed.

FEELING OF DISMAY. THE NEWS IN LONDON. MANY CONSULTATIONS HELD. (British Official Wireless.) Received June i, 11.10 a.m. RUGBY, May 31: The Spanish delegation to Geneva announced this morning that German warships had shelled Aimeria. The incident was under discussion in the morning between Mr Anthony Eden and the French Ambassador, who called at the Foreign Office. A member of the German Embassy at London later called at the Foreign Office. The Italian Ambassador also was ‘ in consultation with Mr Eden at the Foreign Office. 'The meeting of the chairman’s subcommittee of the Non-Intervention Comm it fe 3 called for this afternoon has been cancelled and, in response to the request of the German representative, a full meeting of the committee has been arranged to hear the statement which will lie made on behalf of the German Government. The news of the bombing of the German battleship Deutschland at Ibiza caused profound regret in British official cricles and sympathy was expressed to the German Minister by the Foreign Secretary. There is a feeling that the incident has come at a most unfortunate time for .Europe ill general, when a certain optimism, w.as permissible as a result of the relief of the

tension noticeable in recent weeks. Tliis feeling of dismay lias not been lessened by the policy of retaliation which was immediately adopted by the German Government and which is deplored here. There is the strongest conviction in London that what the general interest demands above all is the maximum of restraint on every country’s part. The German representative has sent a letter to the chairman of the NonIntervention Committee containing a statement on the bombing of the Deutschland. The sub-committee met to consider further the question of security of warships of Powers participating in the observation scheme. In British circles the view is taken that there is no question of any' change of Germany’s attitude to the principle of non-intervention, which she still supports, and it is hoped that the interruption of her association with the international committee work and the naval control scheme will be purely temporary. 'file bombing of the Deutschland was the subject of a private notice of a question in the House, to which the Foreign Secretary replied: “I am not yet in receipt of full reports in regard to the incident and I should prefer to make no further statement at present. The German Charge d’Affaires is to represent to his Government the earnest hope of His Majesty’s Government that the German Government will take no action such as would render the present grave situation graver still.”