BOMBED SHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 13

BOMBED SHIPS

CAPTAINS' GRIEVANCE REMARK BY ADMIRAL GENUINE BRITISH CREWS WORD "DUMMY" RESENTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. July 5 In the House of Commons to-day, Admiral of the 1* leet Sir Roger Keyes (Conservative—North Portsmouth), received indignant sea captains who bitterly complained of his recent reference to "dummy" captains on British ships trading to Spain.

The captains were Lewis Llwellyn, of the Stanhope, D. Jones, of the Stanwell, both of which were bombed, and they were accompanied by David Lloyd, marine superintendent of the Stanhope Steamship Company. Captain Llewellyn stated that the references to "dummy" captains had encouraged General Franco to bomb genuine British ships. All resented the suggestion that Spanish-bound British ships were not manned by Britons. Captain Jones cited being bombed with a crew of 42 Britons. Sir Roger explained that in his remarks he had referred only to one vessel. Subsequently, British seamen from bombed ships approached members in the lobbies of the House to protest against criticisms of British ships trading to Spain. BRITISH AGENT TALK WITH MINISTERS REBEL LEADER'S ATTITUDE QUESTION BY MR. ATTLEE British "Wireless RUGBY, July 5 The Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, Sir Robert Hodgson, British agent in the rebels' territory in Spain, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, had a consultation to-day. Mr. C. R. Attlee, Labour leader, in the House of Commons, asked if Mr. Chamberlain could now make a full statement on General Franco's reply with reference to the bombing of British ships, indicating the results of the consultations which have taken place with Sir Robert Hodgson, and the nature of any decision the Government has reached as to its reply to the denial that British ships had been deliberately attacked.

Mr. Chamberlain said the consultations to which Sir John Simon had referred yesterday were not yet finished, and asked Mr. Attlee to repeat his questiom on Thursday.

SUPPORTER LOST

BRITISH GOVERNMENT VISCOUNT CECIL AS CRITIC LONDON, Jnne 2G Viscount Cecil has sent a letter to the chief Government Whip in the House of Lords, Lord Lucan, asking that the "Whip" should no longer be sent to him, because he feels that he cannot any longer be treated as even nominally a supporter of the Government. His reason for taking this action is that he regards Mr. Chamberlain's attitude toward the bombing of British ships in Spain as indefensible. "It is admitted by the Prime Minister," says Lord Cecil, "that the attacks on British shipping are illegal, and that, in fact, British subjects who have been killed have been murdered, yet he declines to take economic or military measures to protect British lives and property. "All he will do is send Notes, which are quite ineffective, as it became clear early that they entailed no consequences for General Franco or his followers and allies. "I cannot recall a comparable incident in British history, and I do not believe that any other British Minister has ever made a speech like Mr. Chamberlain's, which seems inconsistent with British honour and international morality." ' :