BRITAIN’S THREAT OF REPRISALS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20493, 11 August 1936, Page 7

BRITAIN’S THREAT OF REPRISALS

PLAIN WARNING TO SPAIN REBEL EXCESSES CAUSE COMPLICATIONS GENERAL FRANCO’S FINE EQUIPMENT British Official Wireless RUGBY, August 8. In view of the danger to which the Gibraltar Harbour will be exposed, the British Government has informed both the Spanish Government and General Franco, Commander of the insurgent forces, that in future no Spanish war vessel should proceed to anchor in the naval harbour at Gibraltar. A British warship will patrol the Strait of Gibraltar to protect British shipping from interference, and it is made clear that there must be no firing in future on British ships. There is a renewal of similar warnings which have been given, and General Franco, moreover, has been informed that if military aircraft fly over Gibraltar they will be warned by the firing of three rounds in advance of the machine, and if this warning is not effective, fire will be directed at the aircraft. A recent incident in the neighbourhood was dropping bombs near the British ship Medon and the Dutch ship Zonnewyek, a few miles off Europa Point yesterday, for which, it is practically certain, Spanish aircraft operating from Morocco, were responsible. The Queen Elizabeth, flying the flag of the Mediterranean Commander-in-Chief entered Gibraltar Harbour to-day. Italy’s Protest Italy has strongly protested to the Spanish Government against the assassination of three Italians in Barcelona, demanding an indemnity and the punishment of the assassins. Argentine Takes a Hand The Buenos Aires correspondent of “The New York Times” says that the Argentine Government to-day indicated that it was prepared to force a new and perhaps significant issue in the Spanish rebellion. The Navy’s crack cruiser, Veinticino de Mayo, is speeding toward Spain with orders to evacuate the Argentine Ambassador (Senor Mansilla), several Argentinians and five Spanish rebels, who are now virtual prisoners at the summer Embassy at Zaruaz, near San Sebastian. On the old established Spanish-American thesis, diplomats have the right to extend asylum to revolutionaries. According to information received here, a British warship recently attempted to evacuate Senor Mansilla, but he insisted that the rebels had the right to accompany him, to which the Spanish authorities refused to agree. According to Government officials here, the Veinticino De Mayo carries a full fighting complement of men, on a war footing, and the commander has categorical instructions to remove Senor Mansilla, and whoever may be with him. Moscow’s Significant Decision The Moscow Press has ceased the publication of resolutions voting funds to Spanish Loyalists and have ceased referring to assistance for the Government of Spain.