The Jose Luis Diez Attack

Northern Advocate, 3 January 1939, Page 5

The Jose Luis Diez Attack

LONDON, January I. <; A message frqm Barcelona states that a communique issued by the Republicans says the Gibraiter authori-, } ties refused the request of the captain of the destroyer Jose Luis Diez, which | was forced aground on Eastern Beach j ,. 1 by Nationalist warships, for an extonsion of his stay to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessel. Consequently he went to sea to avoid internment. 7_; The captain alleges that he was attacked while in British territorial- j waters. A.communique by the Nationalists.' insists that only the minelayer cano engaged the Jose Luis Diez. It does not mention the loss of the mine- ■ layer or the ramming of another. Nationalist warships were patrolling je the Straits all day • well beyond the three-mile limit owing to the presence of the Vanoc standing by the Jose Luis Diez, on wliich five were killed >|| and 10 wounded, of whom ohe died : later. .■ ■ •*>; ■ ' j'ffi Large pieces of shell , picked up in v Catalan Bay bore inscriptions their Italian manufacture. The Jose Luis Diez was eventually.,, towed into the harbour preparatory to M internment, A British guard is already on board. The British Foreign Office states that the Jose Luis Diez will not be interned as there is no question of belligerency, says the Independent Cable Service. It is believed she will Be allowed to undergo repairs in Gibraiter harbour as before*. . *1