Britain Regrets Incident

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 115, 1 June 1937, Page 7

Britain Regrets Incident

CAME AT AWKWARD TIME Need For Restrakit Emphasised PRESERVING PEACE ( Britiab Official Wirelesa.) (Eeceived 1, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, May 31. The Spanish delegation at Geneva announced this morning that German warsnips shelled Almeria. The incident was under discussion this morning between the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. R. Anthony Eden and the French Ambassador, who called at the Foreign Office. A member of the German Embassy at London later called on the Foreign Office. aThe Italian Ambassador was also in consultation with Mr. Eden. A qnestion on the subject of the bombing of the Deutschland and the shelling of Almeria for answer in the House of Commons has been addressud to Mr. Eden by private notice of the Leader of the Opposition, Major C. E, Attlee. A meeting of the chairman's subcommittee of the Non-Intervention Committee, called for this afternoon, has been eancelled, and, in response to a request of the German representative, a full meeting of the committee has been arranged to hear a statement to be made on behalf of the German Government. News of the bombing of the German battleship Deutschland at Ibiza caused profound regret in British official circles. Sympathy was expressed to the German Minister by the Foreign Secretary. There is a feeling that the incident has come at a most unfortunate time for Europe in general; when certain optimism was permissible at a result of relief of tension which has not heen noticeable 'in recent weeks. This feeling of dismay has not heen lessened hy the policy of retaliation which was immediately adopterl by the German Government and which is deplored nerft. There is the stjrongest conviction in London that wbat general interest demandfl above all is a maximum of restraint on every country ls part. The German Ambassador, Herr von Ribbentrop sent a latter to the NonIntervention Committee stating that Germany would not. continue to participate in the patrol scheme or in the discussions of the committee until she receives guarantees against a recurrence of such incidents aS have occurred. It is understood that Italy will also abstain from meetings, pending satisfaction. Italy is also withdTawing her warships from the control scheme. The German communication to the Non-Intervention Committee says : "The German Government will decide upon measures to be taken in response to underhand attacks." The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent says : ' 'The Non-Interven-tion sub-committee, after an hour's consider ation, felt that it would be unable to devise any plan of guarantees."