SAFETY OF SHIPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 277, 23 November 1936, Page 7

SAFETY OF SHIPS

TIME FOR EVACUATION REQUESTED [ British Official Wireless ] RUGBY, Nov. 20. Asked by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. R. Attlee, if he had any information “regarding the proposed blockade and the possible bombardment of Barcelona,” the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, in the House of Commons to-day said he had received no communication about a blockade but the Government did receive last Tuesday a communication from the Burgos Administration regarding the possible bombardment of Barcelona. Mr. Eden read a document which alleged that war material had been transported to Barcelona in Russian and Spanish ships flying different flags and which declared the intention of preventing this traffic by every possible means of war, even to the destruction of the port. All foreign shipping was therefore warned of the desirability of abandoning it in short time so as to avoid being unintentionally damaged on the occasion of the military action, of which no further warning would be given, and foreigners and non-combatants at Barcelona were warned to leave the town, particularly the areas near the port. Mr. Eden stated that on receipt of this communication the British Ambassador at Hendaye was instructed to get into touch with the Burgos authorities and to request that they should guarantee security in certain anchorages in respect of Barcelona, as they had already done at Tarragona, Valencia, Alicante, and other ports. The Ambassador was also to request that before operations were commenced proper time should be allowed for the evacuation of British residents. The Consul-General at Barcelona and the British naval authorities in the Mediterranean had been kept informed.