SHIP SEIZED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22612, 28 December 1936, Page 9

SHIP SEIZED

ACTION BY SPAIN / _ BERLIN'S ULTIMATUM RELEASE demanded [THREAT OF REPRISALS i NATURE OP THE CARGO By Telesrraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received December 27, 7.15 p.m.) BERLIN, Dec. 27 Germany has sent an ultimatum to the Spanish Leftist Government demanding the release of the Genua,n freighter' Palos. The vessel was seized outside Spanish waters, although her cargo, it is alleged, did not consist of war materials. Germany has threatened reprisals if her demand is ignored. An official announcement states that Spanish Government warships confiscated the Palos, belonging to the Oldenburg (Portuguese) Company outside Spanish territorial waters in the neighbourhood of Bilbao. The Palos, which was en route from Hamburg to Spanish harbours has been taken to Bilbao. The vessel's cargo, according to reliable evidence, consisted neither directly nor indirectly of war materials. The necessary measures for the release of. the steamer have been begun. It is expected that before these aro enforced the Redsywill release the steamer with her cargo intact and her three passengers. It is believed that German warships are steaming at full speed to Bilbao. Nazi' spokesmen agree that the despatch of the warships makes a demonstration a most likely step. If the Palos is surrendered intact the affair may pass off without incident, but if ilhe Beds harm the vessel or the people on board the situation inay be very grave. The Palos is a vessel of 977 tons. According to a Spanish report her cargo is contraband for the insurgents and is now being unloaded at Bilbao. ORDERED TO STOP FRENCH BANANA BOAT CAPTAIN IGNORES SHOTS (Received December 27, 7.1," p.m.) CASABLANCA, Deo. 20 The captain of a French banana boat going to /Dakar has reported that a Spanish patrol boat fired three warning shots and ordered him to stop in the neighbourhood of Point Carnero. "We signalled our name." said the captain,, "and lit up our flag, but refused to, stop and continued our voyage."

RAID BY ITALIANS SPANISH NEWSPAPER INTRUDERS WRECK- PLANT (Received December 27, 7.15 p.m.) TANGIER, Dec. 26 One hundred and fifty Italian bluejackets, headed by an officer, marched to the offices of the Spanish proGovernment newspaper Deniocracias, threw documents into the street and wrecked the plant. The reason for their action was that they resented articles alleged to have been insulting to Italy. MADRID UNDER FIRE GRIM CHRISTMAS DAY TERROR-STRICKEN PEOPLE, LONDON, Dec. 25 To-day proved to be a most grim Christmas for the people of Madrid, who awoke to the sound of gunfire. Instead of a day of peace and goodwill, Christinas Day was one of terror for the residents. The insurgents renewed their bombardment, and 1600 shells were fired. Tho telephone building was hit three times, and other shells foil into the Gran Via, which was crowded with people. Bebel batteries opened a heavy bombardment north of the city a$ daybreak and Government artillery replied. The Government had ordered that Christmas should not bo observed fis a holiday, consequently the people v.*ere carrying out their customary taskis. A communique issued by the rebels at Avila states that Government forces bombed Merida and Badajoz, 25 persons being killed and 48 wounded.