NAZI SHELLS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19339, 1 June 1937, Page 5

NAZI SHELLS

SPANISH PORT LOSS OF 19 LIVES REPRISAL FOR BOMBING ORDERS FROM BERLIN RIFT IN CONTROL PLAN SYMPATHY OF ITALY (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. June 1, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 31. A British destroyer engaged in nonintervention patrol duty off Spain has sent-a wireless message to the Admiralty stating that the German warship* Admiral - Sehoer -is •bombarding Almeria. " - A further message says that shore leave has been cancelled* at all German naval ports. An official communique issued at .Valencia states that the commandant at Almeria lias reported that a German battleship and four destroyers opened lire on Almeria without warning, 200' shots falling throughout the city. Many victims succumbed and several buildings were destroyed. The coastal batteries replied and the bombardment ceased alter 65 minutes. The fleet then turned, throwing a smoke screen around it. Tlie Germans also fired on minesweepers, which were hastily beached. The coastal battery apparently hit one of tlie destroyers. Tlie Spanish loyalist Cabinet was convened upon receipt of tlie hews and Senor Del Yayo was instructed to discuss the situation with members of the League of Nations at Geneva, after officially notifying the League of the bombardment. Houses Destroyed A further official communique issued at Valencia concerning the casualties at Almeria states that as far as is ascertainable at present 19 persons were killed and 55 injured. Thirty-nine houses were destroyed. The communique adds that there are no military objectives in tlie town.

British subjects present in Almeria during the bombardment included Sir George Y r oung, a former British attache at Madrid, and also two nurses and four ambulance attendants.

A Geneva message says that the Spanish loyalist Government informed Senor Delvayo. that two German cruisers and two destroyers began bombarding Almeria at 7 a.m. as a reprisal for the incident in Ibiza harbour when the German warship Deutschland was bombed from the air with the loss of over 20 lives. This is the first, open act of aggression against the Valencia Government by German warships. A grave view is taken of it. Five Nazi Warships The Spanish Embassy has been informed that live German warships participated in tlie bombardment and that German submarines are attacking shipping. A Berlin message says that the official casualty list shows that 23 men were killed, 19 seriously injured, and 64 slightly injured in the bombing of the Deutschland. An official communique issued at Berlin stated: “As a reprisal for the criminal attack on the Deutschland, lying at anchor in a fortified harbour, Almeria was bombarded by the German naval forces this morning. The reprisal was broken off and concluded after the harbour works had ’been destroyed and the coastal batteries silenced. Germany’s decision regarding the reprisals was naturally taken independently. German warships in Spanish waters were ordered to fire on any Spanish aeroplane or warship approaching them.” A further communique states: "Germany’s representative on the non-inter-vention committee has been instructed to submit officially corroborated evidence of the attack on the German warship and to notify it of tlfe'Government's decision not to participate in the control system or the non-intervention ns long as there is no absolute guarantee given that such acts will not recur.” Note From Ambassador

The German Ambassador to London, Herr von Ribbent.rop, has sent a letter to tho non-intervention committee stating that Germany will discontinue to participate in the patrol scheme or the discussions of tho committee until she receives guarantees against a recurrence of such incidents.

It is understood that Italy will also abstain from the meetings pending satisfaction. Italy is also withdrawing her warships from the control scheme. The meeting of the non-intervention committee is indefinitely postponed. It is reported in ,a message from Rome that Italy and Germany have agreed jointly to inform the international non-intervention committee that larger warships and also aeroplanes are *o be useu to protect the patrol vessels if the Spanish Government planes continue their attacks. Under a glaring'heading, “We Demand Satisfaction,” the Berlin paper Der Tag declares that the attack on the Deutschland was the “work of pirates and buccaneers carried out with the full approval of the Bolshevik authorities at Valencia.” The paper goes on to describe the nonintervention committee as “common murderers,” alleging that it had sabotaged the steps to safeguard and control the warships. Reaction in France Paris reports indicate that French political circles refuse to believe that Germany will take the responsibility of measures having grave international consequences. French diplomatists point out that the Deutschland could not be regarded as under the guidance and control of the'committee'when site was bombed' because sho was not then executing the control functions. It is reported from Gibraltar that the Deutschland sailed for Germany after 12 more sailors had been sent to hospital. Twenty-three injured were already in the hospital, four being in a critical condition. Tho damage to the Deutschland consists of ft hole in her quarterdeck and a hole in the starboard side of the forepeak. German officials insist that the Deutschland had a perfect right to berth in Ibiza harbour because, under the control system ships off duty can enter the three-mile zone and anchor wherever they deem flt.

SPANISH SHIP SUNK FIFTY. FEARED DEAD , RAID BY SUBMARINE (llecd. June 1, 10 u.m.) LONDON, May 31. An official communique, issued at Valencia states that a submarine of an unknown nationality appeared near Barcelona at 1.30 p.m. and launched a number of torpedoes, sinking the steamer Oiuda de Barcelona. Two ‘ seaplanes escorting Iho sliip, bombed the submarine, which disappeared. The same submarine earlier in the day fired two torpedoes at the merchant ship Zorroza. There was a crew of ICO aboard tlie Ciudu de Barcelona, but no passengers. Pilly persons are feared to have been drowned and many injured. The Oiuda de'Barcelona was carrying general cargo to Valencia from .Marseilles. It is alleged that the submarine was an Italian craft.