Death For German Airmen ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 121, 24 May 1937, Page 7

Death For German Airmen ?

Becomes International Issue SHE AT or PLEAS TOR CLEMENCY Halted Pre»» Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, May 22. A Bilbao message states that the French Foreign Minister, M. Deibos, has sent a message to the Basque President asking for clemency for the German airmen who have been sentenced to death, in order to avoid reprisals and not prejudice future exchanges. It is reported from Bilbao that President Aguirre personally sent a message to Herr Adolf Hitler offering to set free the Germans who have been sentenced to death if the German personnel and aerodromes are withdrawn from the Basque front. A Berlin message states that urgent advice has been tendered to President Aguirre not to shoot the Gorman airmen. The spokesman said: “Think what their comrades would do in revenge. It would be madness for the Basques to it.” It is reported from Bilbao that the sheaf of pleas for clemency for the condemned German airmen includes one from M. Portto Seguros, Chilean Ambassador at Berlin, to which President Aguirre replied, expressing surprise over the world’s silence at inhuman bombardments such as Guernica. Only the withdrawal of foreign pilots would avoid flagrant crimes like the present. A Valencia message states that the Spanish Government met and issued tho following statement: “The Government once more declares that no peace is possible before the complete crushing of the rebels.” A Madrid message states that the insurgents heavily shelled Madrid foi four and a-half hours. The din was terrific. Forty-five persons were killed and 70 wounded. The United Btates Embassy windows were shattered. The Central Hotel, housing foreign journalists, was twice bit, but little damage was done. A Gibraltar message states that a radio message from Seville claims that rebel aircraft bombed the Red Fleet off Cartagena and let fire to the battleship Jamie Primero. REBELS’ DIRE THREAT Received Sunday, Midnight. SEVILLE, May 22. General de Llano, broadcasting, declared that if the German airmen Klendle and Schultze are executed the insurgents would shoot all prisoners, even those already reprieved.