SPANISH CRISIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1938, Page 7

SPANISH CRISIS

CONSIDERATION BY BRITISH GOVERNMENT TALK OF PROHIBITING TRADE WITH EITHER SIDE AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN SECRETARY By Telegraph —Press Association. Copyright. LONDON, June 26. The Australian Associated Press learns that Mr Chamberlain is reconsidering all suggestions before possible action in connection with aerial bombing and is expected to make a statement in the House of Commons tomorrow. The Government is considering the practicability of prohibiting British ships from trading with either side in Spain. Meanwhile a further hitch has occurred in connection with non-inter-vention. A sum of £475,000 must be added to the original estimate of £l,750,000 because of purchasing and provisioning trawlers, whose stokers receive wages at the rate of £9OO a year. Tension has now developed, following the talk over the weekend between the Spanish Ambassador, Senor Deazcarate, and Lord Halifax, Foreign Secretary, in which the former hinted at reprisals if the bombing of Spanish cities continues. Senor Deazcarate inquired what had become of the British proposal to send an international commission to report on the bombing of open towns by insurgent and allied airmen. Lord Halifax gave an assurance that the Government was hastening its efforts to send the commission. Senor Deazcarate declared that, unless the attacks ceased, targets might be sought farther aflield than Burgos and Sala*manca, adding that Barcelona believed itself to be fighting, not a civil war, but a war of invasion. BOMBING REPRISALS THREATENED BY REPUBLICANS REVOCATION OF FEBRUARY PLEDGE PARIS, June 26. The Spanish Embassy spokesman has denied that Senor Deazcarate threatened reprisals against Italian and German cities. He added that the Spanish Government had decided to revoke the pledge given in February not to bomb nationalist cities. “Hereafter whenever nationalists bomb Valencia, Barcelona or other republican cities, the republicans will bomb nationalist ports, sea and air centres,” he stated. ADVICE TO FRANCO MUSSOLINI’S REPORTED , WARNING LONDON, June 25. It is understood that Signor Mussolini has warned General Franco that complications might arise from any further incident affecting British lives or ships of other nationals not concerned in the Spanish war, says the Rome correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” General Franco is believed to have replied offering to create “safety ports” in which ships may lie unmolested from aerial attack provided neutral observers are stationed on board to prevent misuse of ships carrying war contraband. The “Daily Mail” understands that the British Government is examining the possibility of allowing British merchantmen trading in Spanish waters to arm themselves with anti-aircraft guns at their own expense. DEATHS IN ALICANTE WORKING-CLASS AREAS BOMBED (Recd This Day, 9.20. a.m.) MADRID, June 26. The casualties at Alicante yesterday were 100 killed and 250 injured, including many women and children. The Working-class area suffered most. Rebel Junkers again raided Alicante today. Th Government admits that General Franco’s troops captured Onde, west of Castellon, after severe fighting.