NO WARNING GIVEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 128, 1 June 1937, Page 9

NO WARNING GIVEN

NOTIFICATION TO THE LEAGUE

(Received June 1, 10 a.m.)

LONDON, May 31

An official announcement at Valencia states that the commandant,at Alraeria reported'that a German battleship ,and four destroyers opened fire on Almeria without warning, 200 shots falling throughout the city. Many victims succumbed, and several buildings were destroyed. The coastal ba I tcries replied. The bombardment ceased after 65 minutes. The fleet then turned, throwing up' a smoke screen. The Germans also fired on minesweepers, which were hastily beached. A coastal battery apparently hit one of the destroyers. The Spanish loyalist' Cabinet was convened upon receipt of the news of the bombardment, and Senor del Vayo, the Government's representative at Geneva, was instructed to discuss the situation with members of the League after officially notifying the League of the bombardment. " , The German Ambassador, Heir yon Ribbentrop, has sent a letter to the Non-intervention Committee stating that Germany will discontinue to participate in the patrol scheme or the discussions of the Committee until she-receives guarantees against recurrence of incidents. , Italian Withdrawal Also. It is understood that Italy will also abstain from the meetings pending satisfaction. Italy is also withdrawing her warships from the control schein.e. j " The meetings of the Non-intervention Committee have been indefinitely postponed. It is stated officially that the casualties at Almeria. so far ascertainable are 19 killed and 55 injured. Thirty-nine houses were destroyed. The' statement adds that there were no military objectives in the town. , . Almeria reports that Britons present in the city during the bombardment included Sir George Young, formerly of the Diplomatic Service, and also two nurses and four ambulance attendants.