AGREEMENT BROKEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 36, 13 February 1939, Page 7

AGREEMENT BROKEN

MINORCA BOMBING DURING NEGOTIATIONS RAIDING ITALIAN PLANES? PROTESTS BRING PLEA OF MISTAKE

[By Telegraph—Press Association —Coiiyright] Received Feb. 11, 5.5 p.m. MARSEILLES, Feb. 10. According to the refugees landed by H.M.S. Devonshire, lighting broke out in Minorca while the negotiations were taking place aboard the cruiser. Italian planes bomned the island and killed several persons, wrecking 30 . houses. The cruiser was struck by ’ bomb splinters. " ‘ "I telegraphed a protest to Burgos, but the bombing did not cease,” de- ’ clared Captain Muirhead Gould of H.M.S. Devonshire, commenting on the attack on Minorca. “I sent two 1 telegrams of protest. The first was not answered and the second brought ■ the reply that the action was a mis- 1 take. My sole condition for helping to bring the parties together was an understanding that there should be no bombing and no executions. The bombing started on February 8, while the envoys were negotiating for the surrender of the town. The population fled in panic, and I embarked refugees and departed." The Australian Associated Press learns that splinters from anti-air-craft shells struck H.M.S. Devonshire 1 but that no damage and no injuries resulted. Colonel San Luis, military governor of Majorca, who was on board, arranged an immediate investigation with the nationalists in Majorca, whence it is believed the bombers came. It is learned that there were six raids on Port Mahon.

MUCH SURPRISE VIOLATION OF PROMISE BOTH IN BURGOS AND LONDON [ British Official Wireless. J RUGBY, Feb. 10. There was no British representative on H.M.S. Devonshire, and the commander took no part in the negotiations. The cruiser went on the distinct understanding that there would be no attack on Minorca during its presence at Port Mahon. The violation of this undoraking caused much surprise, it is believed, in Spanish nationalist circles, where it Is keenly regretted, and both in Burgos and in London there is considerable mystification as to the identity of the aircraft concerned in this attack. AIR RAIDS ON VALENCIA Received Feb. 12, 8.30 p.m. VALENCIA, Feb. 12. Five air raids on Valencia killed 29. and wounded 45. Bombs partly sank the steamer Lucky and damaged the Stanforth. LOYALIST MILITIA TWENTY THOUSAND GOING TO REBEL SPAIN. Received Feb. 12, 8.30 p.m. PARIS, Feb. 12. Twenty thousand loyalist militia, choosing to return to rebel Spain, were repatriated from Touoluse. Two thousand troops, believed to have 1 been encircled near Andorra, escaped to France. BRITISH IMPARTIALITY NOW BEARING FRUIT THE MINORCA MISSION [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Feb. 10. Newspapers in London generally express satisfaction at yesterday's developments regarding Minorca and with the British Government's share in them. The Times says: ‘The steady impartiality of British policy throughout the war has begun to bear fruit. Both sides realise that Britain desires only a united settlement and a peaceful Spain. The mission to Minorca has been completed in that . region by diplomatic means, a process which could otherwise have been completed