British Government Makes Protest

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 325, 5 January 1937, Page 5

British Government Makes Protest

FURTHER STEPS BEING TAKEN IN THE SHIPPING WAR CRUISER DESPATCHED TO CADIZ TO PROTEST AGAINST ACTION OF STOPPING BRITISH SHIPS NAVY WILL PROTECT BRITISH SHIPPING IN SPANISH WATERS. (Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, January 4. The British Government has dispatched a destroyer to Cadiz to protest to the insurgent authorities against the stopping of the British steamer Etrib, cabled on January 2 The Etrib, from Haifa, was bound for Liverpool with a cargo of oranges when, off Europa Point, it was fired on and stopped by a Spanish armed trawler. The ship was allowed to proceed after the questioning of the captain.

The British Government demands that there shall be no recurrence of such an incident. The captain of the Etrib refused to show his papers, but was allowed to proceed. This protest is additional to that which the British Ambassador was to make at Burgos regarding the Blackhill. British circles regard the activities of the German warships with considerable anxiety. The situation is being carefully watched, but it is felt that the British Government cannot comment on another Government’s actions. The British Navy will protect, according to general principles, all British ships in the neighbourhood of Spain. If a question arises regarding a vessel which might be carrying munitions, the British naval authorities will deal with the matter themselves. RUSSIAN SHIP STOPPED. A message from Gibraltar states that insurgent trawlers have taken the Russian steamer Komiles to Ceuta. It is alleged that the steamer was laden with munitions. SPANIARDS NOW. Halted German Vessel North Of Bilbao. Press Association —Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) Berlin, January* 4. An Official News Agency coimmunique says that the Captain of a German vessel Pluto, yesterday reported that while 21 mile-s north of Billboa on December 20, his slriip was halted by shots from two large red fishing steamers. He was forced to change his course to Bilbao for two hours. It follows from this that the Spanish reds soime time ago ordered their naval forces- to proceed against German merchantmen, even if far outside Spanish territory. Fire On All Ships Not Stopping. Press Association—Copyright. Received 1.20 p.m. Seville, January 4. All insurgent radios have ordered the insurgent naval forces to file on all ships refusing to stop and be searched.

Russian Steamers Now Been Released. Press Association —Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) Moscow, January 4. It is reportetd- that the. Insurgents have released the steamers Krazny, Profintern and Kalban, which were detained in the Straits of Gibraltar on January 1. Newspapers are demanding that unmistakable measures be taken to prevent the German enslavement of the Spaniards. Seven Russian Ships Searched Last Week. Press Association —Copyright. (Received 2 p.m.) Moscow, January 4. Rtlbel warships searched a total of seven Rusian ships near Gibraltar in the last few days. All have been released.