DEFENCE ORDERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19372, 9 July 1937, Page 6

DEFENCE ORDERS

DISCRIMINATION DENIED BRITISH SHIPS OFF SPAIN PAN ON FOREIGN TROOPS FAVOURABLE REPLIES (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.15 p.m. RUGBY, July 8. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. Duff Cooper, denied in the House of Commons a statement published abroad that British warships had been given instructions to fire on insurgent aircraft which came within range, but not Spanish Government aircraft. He stated that since the beginning of hostilities in Spain the instructions to British warships in Spanish waters had been to defend themselves against any definitely hostile attacks by aircraft.

These instructions applied without any discrimination whatsoever to the aircraft of both contending parties. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Viscount Cranborne, the Foreign Under-Secretary, said that the Government noted with satisfaction ..statements reported to have been made recently on behalf of both parties in the Spanish conflict to the effect that they would be prepared, in certain circumstances, to contemplate the withdrawal of foreign combatants from Spain.

ROMAN ACCUSATIONS

ANGLO-FRENCH DESIGNS ITALO-NAZI RESTRICTION (Eke. Tel. Copyright—United Press As.sn.) (Reed. July 9. 2 p.m.) ROME, July 8. Signor Gayda, in an article in the Giornale d'ltalia alleging that the British Ambassador recently conferred with General Franco's Government in Spain, declares that Britain supported the Basques in the belief that they were able to defend the minerals. "Now that the Basques are tottering, she throws them overboard, and turns inviting smiles to General Franco," says Signor Gayada. He adds: "Both England and France are seeking Spanish naval zones and ports. Even Gibraltar is insufficient for Britain. It is a policy of economic, political and military encirclement against Italy and Germany, aiming at depriving them of freedom of supplies and the seas."

LOYALIST OFFENSIVE 2000 CASUALTIES (Reed. July 9, 1.50 p.m.) MADRID, July 8. Still making an effort to relieve the insurgent pressure at Santander, General Miaji hurled 22,000 infantry against the Nationalists to the west of Madrid to-day. The Government's casualties total 2000.