ITALIAN SHIP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1941, Page 5

ITALIAN SHIP

BOMBED IN TUNISIAN PORT DIRECT HITS CAUSE HUGE EXPLOSIONS. PROTEST MADE BY VICHY GOVERNMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. May 29. Mr Anthony Eden’s warning to the Vichy Government that Britain would attack the enemy wherever he might be found has been given, effect to by a bombing raid on the Tunisian port of Sfax (Tunis). Tonight's R.A.F. communique from Cairo says .that a motor-vessel of between 4000 and 5000 tons was attacked yesterday in the harbour by R.A.F. bombers. All the bombs made direct hits and from the enormous explosions and vast clouds of black smoke it was apparent that the ship was loaded with munitions. It was stated in London that the attack was made on an Italian ship which had taken refuge in the port. The Vichy Government alleges that a French ship, tlie Rabelais, was hit, and has protested to London through the United States Government “against the odious bombing of Sfax.” Britain. Vichy says, had no reason to attack a belligerent merchantman in a French port and even less reason to attack the port itself. The Vichy News Agency says: “These unjustified aggressions have profoundly stirred French public opinion. The list of Franco’s legitimate grievances is increasing with distressing rapidity.” The "Daily Express” says that Britain warned Vichy about the Axis use of Tunisian waters. Vichy was also told that Britain no longer regards France as neutral with the rights of a neutral State. The British United Press correspondent at Vichy says Britain notified France that navicerts for French ships would henceforth not be issued. Dr Goebbels is making as much capital as possible out of the British attack. The view taken in London is that if a French vessel was hit, the fault lies with the Vichy Government for allowing Axis ships to use waters or harbours in Tunisia after they have been given special warning on this point. It is reported that a submarine of unknown nationality torpedoed and sank a French fishing vessel of 448 tons bound for Newfoundland. A Portuguese ship picked up eight of the crew of 37 after they had been adrift 10 days in a lifeboat.