MINORCA AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 13

MINORCA AFFAIRS

ACTION BY BRITAIN PREMIER'S EXPLANATION NEGOTIATOR ON WARSHIP NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received February 14, (i.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON. Feb. 13 At question time in tho House of Commons to-day tho Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, gave an account of Britain's action in connection with the cruiser Devonshire's visit to Minorca and the surrender of the island to the Spanish Nationalists. "At the request of tho local authorities at Palma, tha British Government undertook to convey a Nationalist, senior officer to Minorca in order that he might negotiate the peaceful surrender of tho island," said the Prime Minister.

"Britain previously had been informed that unless she could make negotiations possible by providing a means of communication, an attack would be launched on Minorca. Thereupon, on seeing that a British ship provided the only available means of making peaceful contact with Minorca, and being anxious to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, I permitted an application to be made for the services of tho Devonshire. No Part in the Negotiations

"Britain considered neither the Republican Government nor tho Burgos authorities, although tho local authorities at Palma were, it is understood, in touch with General Franco. France, which was kept fully informed, approved tho action of Britain. "The Devonshire duly proceeded to Minorca, and it is understood that the surrender of the island has now taken place. Britain has taken no part in tho negotiations, and has no responsibility for them.

"The opportunity was taken of embarking on the cruiser about 450 refugees, who considered they might run the risk of reprisals. These refugees have been landed at Marseilles in co-operation with tho French authorities." Attack in Disobedience ol Orders On being further pressed regarding the Minorca incident by the Leader of the Labour Opposition, Mr. C. R. Attlee, Mr. Chamberlain said: "Perhaps I had better read a telegram received from our Consul at Palma.

"The Consul says: 'The Nationalists' senior naval officer, who takes charge in the temporary absence of Admiral Moreno, authorises me to cite him officially as saying that the attack was carried out in disobedience of orders, and was very much regrettod. He promises to reply on Monday.' " Mr. Chamberlain, in reply to another question, dechired he thought Britain's position had been made perfectly clear, and he did not think there had been any misunderstanding about it at the time, or that tins facilities afforded could possibly be construed as conferring British preference on Senor do Mandox, General Franco's envoy.

REGIME OF FRANCO QUESTION OF RECOGNITION BRITAIN NOT DECIDED IN TOUCH WITH FRANCE British "Wireless LONDON. Feb. 13 In the House of Commons to-day Mr. Chamberlain was asked for an assurance, in view of the changed military situation in Spain, that Britain did not contemplate recognising the Nationalist authorities as the de facto or de jure Government of .Spain. In reply. Mr. Chamberlain said: "It would obviously be impossible for me to give such an assurance in a situation which is changing very rapidly. I may say, however, that Britain, which is in close touch with France, has so far made no decision on the matter.' Asked if the House would be consulted, Mr. Chamberlain said the Government must take the responsibility. Mr. Arthur Henderson (Labour — Kings winford) sought, in view of the "unsatisfactory nature of the reply," to move the adjournment at the end of questions, but ithe Speaker refused the motion. The Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, said the present military situation in Spain in no way affected Britain's decision not to grant belligerent rights to the Nationalists until foreign troops were withdrawn.