THE SPANISH WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20184, 3 May 1937, Page 7

THE SPANISH WAR

THE REFUGEES. PLANS FOR EVACUATION. PROTECTION ON HIGH SEAS. (Ofncial Wireless.) (Received May 1, 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 30. The Basque Government having enquired in London whether nava\ protection would be afforded to shirs by which it hopes to arrange for the evacuation of women and children and old people from Bilbao, and the Britlish Government, having ascertained that there w-ould be complete impartiality as between the parties and supporters and opponents of the existing regime in the choice of refugees for evaouation, in these circumstances, and in conformity with the policy hitherto followed of lending all possible assistance to humanitarian work to both sides in the civil war. His Majesty’s Government lias instructed British warships to give protection outside territorial waters to any vessels carrying non-combatant refugees from Bilbao. The British Government confidently assumes that General Franco for his part w r ould not wish to impede this humanitarian endeavour and they anticipate no difficulty regarding the departure of refugee ships. Actually so far there has been no attempt by insurgent naval forces to interfere with shipping of any kind leaving Bilbao. It is understood the British consul at Bilbao will be in a position to satisfy himself of the complete disregar# of political considerations in the selection of refugees.

half accounted fob.

REST SCARED INTO THE BLUE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, April 30. The Bilbao correspondent of the Times learns that the bombing planes had no difficulty in locating the Almirante Cervera, because immediately the latter learned of the Espana disaster she proceeded at fullspeed eastwards. She wa»3 reported at 3.30 p.m. by an alert signaller at Cape Mayor, to be 55 miles west of Santander.

The bombing planes had time to drop only three bombs when the Almlrante Cervera, remembering the fate of her oonsort, fired all her anti-aircraft guns and departed northwards.

The evening papers in Bilbao jubilantly front-paged the Espana victory and sent cars tearing with the news through the town. The loss of the Espana halve»3 the “blockading” fleet and has scared the remainder into the blue.

SANTANDER, May 1

The Knitsley berthed at Castro Urdiales, 30 miles east of Santander. The captain in obedience to the Admiralty’s orders is not communicative, but a sailor disclosed that hardly had the Velasco stopped, the Knitsley, with the Espana half-a-mile off, when the aeroplanes came into action. The Basques are heartened by the incident and are further encouraged by an advance of nearly two miles to the Bizcazgui hills, near Ariazua, and two miles east of Guerinca. BOMBING OF CIVILIANB. BRITISH GOVERNMENT CONCERNED DENIAL BY GERMANY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright

LONDON, May 1. A reply to a question in the House of Commons by Mr H. Dalton (Labour —Bishop Auckland) drawing attention to General Mola’s statement that he intended to raze Bilbao w r as made today by the Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden. lie' announced that the BritishAmbassador, Sir Henry Chilton, who is stationed at Hendaye, over the French border, had been instructed to report urgently on whether there was any foundation for believing that the insurgents contemplated such action. Mr Eden repeated his concern at the bombing of civilians, and added that tiie Government was anxiously considering action to prevent its recurrence. BERLIN, May 1. The official German news agency denies that German troops have landed at San Sebastian. BOY KILLED IN PARK. BOMBS DROPPED ON BILBAO. BRITISH DESTROYER IN DANGER. United Pres* Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright BILBAO, May i. The crews of three insurgent aeroplanes, apparently of Italian manufacture, dropped two bombs on Bilbao and a third in a nark, killing a boy. Five other bombs fell about the British destroyer Faulknor anchored in the outer harbour. A KNOTTY PROBLEM. POSITION OF OBSERVERS. GENERAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS. (omclal Wireless.) (Received May 1, 2.45 p.m.) RUGBY, April 30. The Chairman’s Sub-committee of the International Committee for the application of the agreement regarding non-intervention In Spain met to-day, and hud under consideration I lie position which would arise if a ship on a voyage lo or from Spanish ports which had the right Id fly the flag of one of tiie countries, which are parties to

the agreement and which had on board international observing officers, should be seized or interfered with off the coasts of Spain by either of the two parties in Spain. After a general exchange of views the committee agreed that a plenary session of the International Committee should be held on Wednesday for the purpose of considering a draft of the questionnaire in which the Governments would be asked to furnish statements of their views on the foregoing question.

THE BOMBING OF QUERNIOA.

HOUSE OF COMMONS QUESTIONS. IMPARTED INQUIRY URGED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received May 3, 11 a.m.) LONDON, May 2. Several questions on the bombing of Guernica will be addressed to the Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons on Monday. One member says the Government should initiate proposals for an Impartial inquiry into the circumstances. “I AM BRITI8H.” WARNING TO MERCHANTMEN. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, May 1. The official account of the -sinking of the insurgent battleship Espana by Government airmen stated that loyalist air squadrons went out to assist the British freighter Knitsley, the captain of which appealed by radio for help when the vessel was stopped by insurgents.

The Bilbao correspondent of the Times says tiie Espana signalled to tiie Knitsley to stop Just outside the threemile limit. The master replied: “You cannot stop me. lam British.’’ The Espana, before bombing Bilbao harbour by air, had sent out a wireless warning that British merchantman were sure to be bombed and machinegunned IT they ventured into tiie harbour. Tills is considered fo indicate dial Herman airmen deliberately sought targets in their raid yesterday.