BERLIN MOURNS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19340, 2 June 1937, Page 5

BERLIN MOURNS

VICTIMS OF BOMBING

CREW OF DEUTSCHLAND

‘ ‘CRIMINALLY MURDERED’ ’

BOLSHEVISM BLAMED

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) LONDON, June 1.

Berlin reports slate that the shadow of the dead members of the crew of Ihe German warship Deutschland, as a result of being bombed by Spanish Government planes, fell heavily across the celebrations to commemorate the Battle of Jutland, which the Germans have been taught to regard as the greatest naval victory in history. A naval detachment proceeding to the Under den Linden, to place a wreath on the war memorial in memory of the Deutschland’s losses, marched without music.

Rear-Admiral von Trotha, veteran of the Battle of Jutland, addressing them, declared: “These seamen have been criminally murdered.”

’Three days of mourning have been ordered, . throughout Germany. All flags ire to -be flown tit : halfunust and decorated with crepe streamers.! Meanwhile, the German newspapers reiterate the allegation that bolshevism is to 'blame for the bombing of the Deutschland. They ask why it is always Fascist vessels, namely, Italian and German, which are attacked.

PANIC IN ALMERIA

CRASHING OF HOUSES

ELEVEN-INCH SHELLS

LONDON, June 1

The Almeria correspondent of The Times, referring to the bombardment of the port by' German warships on Monday, says that when the cannonading began, multitudes of panicstricken poeple rushed into the streets. Their terror was increased by houses and walls crashing on all sides and the nauseating fumes from the bursting shells.

Many persons were injured by falling debris. A similar fate overcame those who remained in their houses. Numerous dead lie buried in the ruins and portions of mutilated bodies can ■bo seen in the streets.

It is feared that the death-roll, when complete, will be high. Four of the chief streets suffered heavily, some shells destroying three or four houses. The telephone and electric light systems were partially destroyed. A sixteenth century cathedral was badly damaged. ,

Some of the shells were of llin. calibre, and 30in. long. The coastal batteries fired 70 shells, forcing the German warships to withdraw from the shore. Some of the attacking vessels were enveloped in smoke, which was believed to be tho result of hits from the batteries.

BORAH CRITICAL

OPEN ACT OF WAR

OFFICIAL VIEW ASKED

WASHINGTON, Juno 1. Senator W. E. Borah asserted that the bombardment of Almeria by the German warships amounted to an act of war. He demanded that the United States should apply its recentlyenacted neutrality law to all participants.

The Spanish Embassy has unnoueed its intention of asking the United States to express its attitude in regard to the 'bombardment. In the meantime there is no indication of a change in the American Governmeijt’s policy of non-intervention. Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary refused to comment on Senator Borah’s statement. Mr. Hull said: “With a dictatorship war is always an immediate possibility. Dictators regard people as so much fuel to feed the war furnace. It is our duty to remain completely aloof.” He indicated that no request had been made to the Urnited States to apply an embargo on the supply of arms to Germany.

BRITISH ARMY NURSES

FOUR FLY TO GIBRALTAR

(Reed. June 2, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Juno 1

Two Royal Air Force flying boats are taking four army nurses from Calshot to the military hospital at Gibraltar to assist in nursing the wounded members of the crew of the Deutschland.

OFFENSIVE RESUMED

GUADARRAMA FRONT

LONDON, Juno 1

A Valencia message says that the Spanish Government troops have resumed the offensive against the rebels at Guadnrrnmn.

QUESTIONING OF NURSES

POLITICAL OPINIONS

COMMITTER OR.TRCTIONS

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day

Statements made before a justice ot the peace by three nurses who were interrogated by the police in Auckland before their departure for Spain are being forwarded .by the Auckland Spanish medical aid committee to the actingPrime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, the lion. W. E. Parry. ' The nurses stated that after a discussion of matters relating to the passport regulations they were taken separately into another room in the police station and asked a. number of questions among which were the following : How did you come into touch with the Spanish medical relief committee? Aro you a Communist? Have you ever subscribed to the Communist Party?

Have you ever taken part in any Com. munist activities? -

Do you know anything about the poli tics of Spain?

Statements embodying their answers were typed out and they signed them upon being told that they must do so. It was stated on behalf of the Spanish medical aid committee that the committee had no objection whatever to the police procedure, so far as it was directed merely to ascertaining that the nurses were travelling to Spain under the auspices of an organisation approved by the British Government. However, the committee objected to interrogation into the nurses' political opinions after it had been ascertained that they were travelling- to Spain under such auspices.

REFUGEE CHILDREN

SALVATION ARMY AID

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, last night

A cablegram reached Wellington today to the effect that General Evangeline Booth, world head of the Salvation Army, had agreed to take 1400 Basque lefugee children on behalf of the Salvation Army. Already 400 of these ehildron were housed in one of the Salvation Army’s London institutions at Clapton, and thore ivere 1000 others being held in a concentration camp until such time as the army can find suitable accommodation for them.

The ages of the children are from five to If) years. General Booth is desirous of increasing this number and will do so as funds are provided.