BRITISH SHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22619, 6 January 1937, Page 9

BRITISH SHIPS

REBELS' INTERFERENCE OFFICIAL PROTESTS MADE DESPATCH OF A DESTROYER By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Jan. 4 The British Government last night despatched a destroyer to protest to the insurgent authorities in Spain regarding the holding up of the British steamer Etrib, the captain of which refused to show his papers, but was allowed to proceed. This protest is in addition to one which Sir Henry Chilton, British Ambassador to Spain, was instructed to make at Burgos regarding the steamer Blackhill, at which 16 shots were fired by rebel trawlers. The British destroyer has proceeded to Cadiz to protest against these incidents and to demand that there be no recurrence. British circles regard the activities of German warships with considerable anxiety, and the situation is being carefully watched, but it is felt the Government cannot comment upon another Government's actions. The British Navy, according to the general principle, will protect British ships in the neighbourhood of Spain, and if a question arises regarding a vessel which might bo carrying munitions British naval authorities will deal with the matter.

NAVAL PROTECTION MR. EDEN'S PROMISE STATEMENT RECALLED British Wireless RUGBY, Jan. -1 In reporting on the protests which the British Government has made to the insurgent authorities regarding the Etrib and Blaekhill, the newspapers recall a statement made by the Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons 011 November 2-3. He said: "His Majesty's ships, should it prove necessary, will protect British merchant ships 011 the high seas against interference by ships of either party engaged in the conflict in Spain, outside the three-miles limit."

GERMAN REPRISAL VESSEL'S COURSE DIVERTED SPANISH CRAFT SEIZED BERLIN. Jan. 4 The official German news agency in a communique states that, the captain of the German vessel Pluto yesterday reported that when his vessel was 21 miles north of Bilbao 011 December 20, it was halted by shots from two large, Red fishing steamers and forced to change its course for two hours. It follows from this that the Spanish Reds, some time ago, ordered their naval forces to proceed against German merchantmen even if they were far outside Spanish territorial waters. The news agency announces that the seizure by the cruiser Koenigsberg of the Spanish steamer Marta Junquera was a reprisal for the Pluto incident. The Koeni&sberg, after sending off two seaplanes, departed for an unknown destination, accompanied by the Mnrta Junquera.

ACTS OF AGGRESSION LOYALISTS TO CHALLENGE STATEMENT BY MINISTER VALENCIA, Jan. 4 The Spanish Foreign Minister, Senor del Vavo, in an address to the Socialist Youth Conference at Valencia said: "We are firmly resolved that no matter what happens we will not- allow a single act of aggression by the German I' leet to pass unchallenged. We shall reply to each to the full extent of the means open to us. "Already orders have been given that everv means of defence must be used to resist fresh aggression."

Senor del Vayo said the action of Fascist countries was endangering the peace of Europe, especially through Germany sending first unlimited material, then regular troops to assist General Franco, and finally through her fleet intervening for the double purpose of finding a pretext to attack Republican Spain and short-circuiting the Nonintervention Committee's control proposals.

REBELS AND RUSSIA SEVEN STEAMERS SEARCHED ONE TAKEN TO CEUTA MOSCOW, Jan. 4 The Spanish insurgents have released the Russian steamers K.rasny Profintern and Kuban, which were detained in the Straits of Gibraltar on January 1. Insurgent trawlers have taken the Russian steamer Komiles to Ceuta, Spanish Morocco. They allege that it is laden with munitions. Rebel warships have searched seven Russian ships near Gibraltar in the past few days, but all have been released. The Russian press is demanding that unmistakeable measures bo taken to prevent the enslavement of Spaniards by Germany. FRANCO'S NEW PLAN SEIZED MERCHANTMEN CONVERSION TO WARSHIPS LONDON, Jan. <1 The Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says ho understands that General Franco has instructed the authorities at the Ceuta dockyards to augment his naval power by converting seven captured merchant vessels into warship* by equipping them witli light guns. Three regular rebel warships have been ordered to sea from Ceuta, presumably in pursuance of General Franco's orders to search all vessels in rebel waters. All insurgent radio stations, says a message from Seville, have ordered rebel naval forces to fire on ships which refuse to stop and be searched.