“WE KNOW THE PROPER ANSWER”

Northern Advocate, 31 May 1937, Page 5

“WE KNOW THE PROPER ANSWER”

—GERMAN STATEMENT

(Received 2.30 p.m.) ■ ' BERLIN, May 30, A German wireless broadcast states that the Deutschland casualties were 20 dead, 73 wounded. Cabinet met, after Herr Hitler had conferred at "Munich with Baron von Neurath, Foreign Secretary, and Admiral Raeder, Naval Commander-in-Chief, all three then flying to Berlin. • Marshal von Blomberg and General Goering were also present. , “Suddenly Bombed.”'

A report subsequently issued stated: “Following a recent incident when ‘ Red ’ aeroplanes bombed British, German and Italian ships in the harbour at Majorca, killing six Italian officers, German vessels were forbidden to call there. The Deutschland belongs to the international naval control forces. Nevertheless, it was suddenly bombed between 6 and 9 p.m. on Saturday. The ship was stationary at Ibiza harbour and the crew were unprotected in the forecastle, inasmuch as the ship was not ready for action. A bomb fell in the middle of their quarters an£ a second hit the quarter deck, causing damage. “Did Not Fire a Shot.” “The ship completely retained its fighting and navigable ability, and went to Gibraltar, in order to disembark the injured. She did not fire a single shot at the aeroplanes. This fresh criminal attack, after the Valencia Government has twice been warned, compels Germany to take measures which will be communicated to the Non-Intervention Committee. The incident is hardly credible. Germany knows how to give a proper answer to ths unheard of provocation by Spanish criminals.”

A Gibraltar message adds that the injured were taken to hospital and the services of all available doctors requisitioned. Funerals will be held on Monday. All the victims were naval ratings and no officers were killed or wounded.