GERMAN WARNING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19338, 31 May 1937, Page 5

GERMAN WARNING

SPANISH BOMBING THREAT OF REPRISALS WARSHIPS ON PATROL RUMOURS OP ATTACK 1 1 _ " • DENIAL OP PROVOCATION (Klee. Tol. Copyright—United Press Assn.) v (Reed. May 31, 11 a.m.) 3 'LONDON, May 29. i A Berlin message says that an official t communique warns Spanish Government ‘ planes not to attack in the vicinity of 1 German ships, and adds that only the ’ restraint of German commanders will [ prevent the guns from going off. ' The Spanish Government retorts that the German and Italian warships have no .business at. Palma. . A Valencia message says that the , German naval commander in the Medi- , terranean, Admiral von Feschel, wirelessed to the Spanish Government asking for the cessation of aeroplane flights . as if they were intending to attack Gerhan warships which were acting in compliance with the duties of control, and giving a warning that in the event ol' a recurrence, corresponding counter measures would he taken. No Aggressive nights Senor Prieto, the Spanish Minister of Defence, replied denying that planes made aggressive flights and adding that warships occupied in control duties were perfectly safe if at the distance fixed by the non-intervention committee, but this guarantee could not be offered if the ships anchored imprudently or without justification in zones and ports which were notorious centres of rebel activity. Against such the Spanish Government would not restrain action. A further report from Valencia says that while two Government aeroplanes were making a reconnaissance flight over the Balearic Islands, a warship reported to be the German battleship Admiral Selieer stationed in Ibiza harbour, opened fire without provocation. The planes then dropped 12 bombs, four scoring hits. It is pointed out that if the warship was really the Admiral Selieer her presence was a contraven. tiou of the control scheme under which control ships must remain 10 miles from the coast. Moreover the control of the island of Ibiza rests with the French Navy, so a German warship had no business there in any circumstances. . A Berlin message says that offirial circles there give no confirmation of the reported bombing of the Admiral Selieer. OVER 130 DEAD TOLL OP DAY’S RAIDS INSURGENT AEROPLANES LONDON, May 29. A message from Barcelona states that 71 persons were killed, of whom 30 were in two houses, and 100 were injured as a result of an insurgent air raid on Barcelona, in which six planes participated. Ihe raid lasted half an hour, during which the insurgent planes circled at a great height. Many buildings were shattered. Ihe planes later extensively bombed Scuta Barbara and Badlona, killing 60 and wounding 50. They later returned to Barcelona and attacked the working-class district. CHILDREN FOR RUSSIA THOUSAND TO BE SENT LONDON, May 21). A Bilbao message says that preparations have been begun to send 1000 children to Russia, the Soviet paying the cost of the voyage and their mnint enanee. Preference is to be given to those who have lost their fathers while fighting for the Government. HORRORS OF PRISON STORY BY CANADIAN TEN COMRADES Dili: (ltoed. May 31. 11.45 a.m.) II END A YE. May 30. Released British prisoners have arrived in France. A Canadian, Mr. Bert Levy, questioned about the insurgent statement that prisoners were well treated, said : “1 would like to push that lie down tin' throat of who ever said it. We were practically starved. We were covered with vermin. There was no water to clean ourselves. We were forced to sleep on (lie ground. Ten of our comrades died from lung trouble.” Mr. John Montgomery, of Glasgow, confirmed Mr. Levy’s statement. ; i INCIDENT AT GENEVA < i SPEECH OF MR. JORDAN 1 ALTERATION OF TERMS t l GENEVA, May 29. [ A strange scene, involving the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, , and Mr. W. .I.'Jordan, New Zealand f High Commissioner, who is reported to | have intended to invoke Article X ol the League of Nations covenant regarding the civil war in Spain, occurred while Mr. Eden’s speech was being c translated into French. C Mr. Eden walked up to Mr. Jordan T and began pointing a pencil to certain f passages in Mr. Jordan’s speech. Finally, several members of the British delegation surrounded them, and Mr. Jordan was seen making some alterations. Mr. Jordan then rose to speak, and made an innocuous plea in favour of

noves to secure the cessation of hostiliies in Spain. Mr. Jordan and other New Zealanders lecline to discuss the incident. . ,

The League Council adopted a resolution expressing regret that certain States had not heeded the resolution passed on December 12, urging them to respect the territorial integrity and independence of Spain, but expressing satisfaction with the progress of non-intervention and urging the withdrawal of non-Spanish combatants and condemning the bombardment of open towns.