ITALIAN WARNING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19667, 27 June 1938, Page 5

ITALIAN WARNING

REBELS IN SPAIN

BOMBING OF NEUTRALS WHITEHALL DISCUSSIONS ARMING OF SHIPS POSSIBLE TRADE BAN (Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. June 27, noon.) LONDON, June 2G. It is understood that Signor Mussolini has warned General Franco, the leader of the Spanish Nationalist forces, that complications might arise from any further incident affecting British lives or the ships of other nationals who are not concerned In the Spanish war, says the Rome correspondent of the Daily 'Mail.

General Franco is believed to have replied offering to create “safety ports” in which the ships could lie unmolested from aerial attack, provided neutral observers arc stationed to prevent misuse of the harbours by ships carrying war contraband. The Daily (Mail understands that the British Government is examining the possibility of allowing British merchantmen trading in. Spanish waters to arm themselves with anti-aircraft guns on their own expense.

Cargo of Munitions

A message from Salamanca states that the Nationalists 'announce that the British ship, which was sunk off Valencia last Wednesday, was known to be carrying munitions and lorries. A message from Madrid says that as a result of an insurgent raid on Alicante yesterday 10(1 persons were killed and 250 wounded.

The victims included many women and children. The working class areas suffered most.

Rebel Junkers again raided Alicante to-day.

The Spanish Government admits that General Franco’s troops captured Onde, to the west of Castellon, after severe fighting. The Australian Associated Press learns that the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, is reconsidering all suggestions before taking possible action in. connection with aerial bombing of British ships in Spanish waters, and is expected to make a statement in the House of Commons on Monday. The Government is considering the practicability of prohibiting British ships from ' trading with cither side in Spain. Non-Intervention Hitch Meanwhile, a further hitch has occurred in connection with the .nonintervention plan. The sum of £475,000 must be added to the original estimate of £1.750,000 because of the purchasing and provisioning of trawlers, whose Stokers receive wages at the rate of £9OO a year.

Tension has now developed following a talk during the weekend by the Spanish Ambasador, Senor de Azcarate. with the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, in which the former hinted there would be reprisals if the bombing the Spanish cities conltinues. Senor de Azcarate inquired what had become of the British to send an international commission to report on the bombing of open towns by the insurgent and allied airmen. Efforts to Send Commission Lord Halifax gave an assurance that the Government was hastening its efforts to send the commission. Senor de Azcarate declared that unless the attacks ceased, targets might be sought (farther afield than Burgos and Salamanca, adding that Barcelona believed itself to be fighting, not a civil war, but a war of invasion. A message from Paris says that the Spanish Embassy spokesman denied that Senor de Azcarate threatened reprisals against Italian and German cities. He added that the Spanish Government had decided to revoke its pledge in February not to bomb Nationalist cities. “Hereafter, whenever the Nationalists bomb Valencia, Barcelona or other Republican cities, the Republicans will bomb Nationalist ports, sea and air centres,” said the Spanish spokesman in Paris.