REBEL ATTACKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23184, 2 November 1938, Page 13

REBEL ATTACKS

BRITISH VESSELS BOMBINGS OFF SPAIN COMPENSATION REFUSED DENIAL OF AGREEMENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 31 The Spanish Nationalist authorities assert that Mr. Chamberlain's statement in the House of Commons that they had agreed in principle to compensation for deliberate attacks on British merchantmen was due to a misunderstanding, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Herald. They assert that they gave no such undertaking, which they would repudiate if given.

Furthermore, the Nationalists say they would not compensate until the end of the hostilities, and not necessarily then.

Shipowners, through the Foreign Office, suggested to General Franco that 80 per cent of the claims might be postponed in the event of a token payment being made. General Franco did not reply. Foreign Oftce experts and lawyers agree that no claim will lie against Republican Spain in the event of her victory.

In denying the Daily Herald's report that General Franco had threatened to close ports, the Duke of Alba, his London agent, says the Nationalist leader would be incapable of so gross an impropriety. A message from Burgos says the Nationalists report the capture of the remaining heights on the Ebro front.

WOUNDED SOLDIERS FRANCE PREVENTS ENTRY 368 MEN FROM SPAIN INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE LONDON, Oct. 31 The Daily Herald states, that M. Cerbere, acting on the order of the Minister of the Interior, M. Sarraut, to the Mobile Guard, prevented 368 wounded members of the International Brigade from Spain entering France. This was after they had stood without food at a station for six hours. However, after a trunk call to Paris 86 of the men, who proved to be of French nationality, were allowed to cross the frontier. The Government said it would not bear the cost of sending the others to hospital, but woidd provide travelling expenses. The remainder were ordered back to the train, the slightly wounded carrying those severely injured on stretchers. There are nine Britons and some Americans and Canadians in the party. Among them is Frank Lewis, of Liverpool, who said: "They are sending us back through Barcelona where doctors are crazy with over-Avork. We have got to lie in hospital and listen to bombers overhead. I shall see that my Government gets me out."

BRIBES OFFERED SHIPOWNERS' ALLEGATION Independent Cable Service (Received November 1, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 1 British shipowners trading to Spain issued a statement that the rebels were offering large sums in British currency to induce British captains to commit barratry (wilfully to sink or wreck their ships). COAST TOWNS RAIDED HEAVY BOMB CASUALTIES Independent Cable Service (Received November 1, 11.30 p.m.) VALENCIA, Nov. 1 Seventy persons were killed and 200 wounded in nine rebel air raids on coastal towns yesterday. A bomb dropped on a passenger train outside a hospital in the town of Alcira, killed 27 and wounded 80.