ATTACK REGRETTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1939, Page 5

ATTACK REGRETTED

BOMBING AT PORT MAHON DURING NEGOTIATIONS. "DISOBEDIENCE OF ORDERS.” (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 13. Mr Chamberlairfs statement in the House of Commons on Britain’s position regarding the recent negotiations in Minorca gave rise to a number of questions relating to the air attack on Port Mahon while H.M.S. Devonshire was in the roadstead. After saying that representations had been made to General Franco, and on being further pressed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Attlee, Mr Chamberlain said: “Perhaps I had better read the following telegram received from our consul at Palma. He says: “The Nationalist senior naval officer who takes charge in the temporary absence of Admiral Moreno authorizes me to cite him officially as saying that the attack was carried out in disobedience of orders, and is very much regretted. He promises to reply on Monday.” In another reply, Mr Chamberlain declared that he thought Britain’s position had been made perfectly clear, and he did not think there had been any misunderstapding about it at the time or that the' facilities afforded could possibly be construed as conferring British preference on Senor de Mandox, General Franco's envoy. , art treasures CONVEYED TO GENEVA. GENEVA, February 14. ■ Spanish art treasures, sent from the loyalist zone, arrived today in two specials trains made up of 52 trucks guarded by machine-guns. There are 1100 articles, including paintings by Velasquez, Goya. El Greco. Murillo, and 800 sixteenth century Flemish tapestries. ITALIAN PROJECTS TRANSPORT & CITY WORKS IN SPAIN. . GERMANY OFFERING CREDITS. LONDON. February 14. It is learned that-.a new company, the Societa del Mediterraneo, directed by Senator De Michelis, president of the Banco de Lavoro, and Signor Motta, head of the Italian Edison Company, has been formed to build roads, railways and electricity 'and water plants

in Spain, using Italian workmen, as General Franco is likely to be short of labour. It is known that Germany is also offering long-term credits in an effort to obtain contracts for equipment.