Evening star., 1936-12-27
Sends Reprisal
Warning in
Seizure.
SHIP RELEASE
IS DEMANDED
Holds Vessel Taken
Outside Waters
of Spain.
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
BERLIN. December 26.-Germany In
an ultimatum to the Madrid Socialist
government demanded tonight the re-
lease Of the German freighter Palos
and threatened "reprisals" if the de-
mand is ignored.
Release Of three passengers reported
aboard the freighter and safe delivery
Of its cargo specifically were asked
The nature Of possible reprisals was
not revealed.
A communique announcing the Ger
man demand asserted the Palos was
seized outside Of Spanish waters and
an investigation had proved beyond
doubt the freight aboard was neither
directly nor indirectly war material.
The communique added:
Necessary measures for obtaining
the release of the steamer have been
taken. It is expected, however. that
before these measures become effective
the red rulers (the Spanish Socialist
government) will agree to set free the
steamer which was seized quite without
cause as well as to restore the freight
undamaged and free the passengers on
board unhurt."
The route by which the demand was
communicated to the Spanish Socialist
government was not disclosed.
Ended Relations November 8.
Germany severed relations with the
government November 8 when she rec
oSnized the Fascist inSurgent junta at
Bursos, Spain.
The communique announcing the de-
mand was issued by the oficial Ger
man news agency, Deutsches Mach
richtenburg.
The agency said it had no informa-
ton beyond the communique and
lone ofiicial in the propaganda min
tstry asserted he was unable to add
anything. Government Offices still
were closed for the holidays.
Despite the threat Of "reprisals" If
the demand Is ignored there were
some in foreign diplomatic quarters
who said they felt it was possible open
conflict could be averted.
They pointed out that Admiral
Erich Raeder, chief of admiralty, on
August 20 authorized German war
ship commanders to act on their own
In case Of trouble.
It was asserted in these quarters
that the fact the Spanish government
was given an opportunity to meet the
German governments wishes was an
indication Reichsfuehrer Hitler wished
to afford the chance for peaceful
restoration of the Palos.
Short Time Limit Hinted.
An indirect indication that there
was a time limit within which the
Spanish government was given op-
portunity to act before German ire
prisals" were put into effect was given
by q government spokesman.
When questioned regarding the ma
t,lre of the repriSals, he said: You'll
zee after another day has passed"
To questions concerning the posi-
bility Of German warshipS shelling
Bilbao, steaming into Bilbao Harbor
to recapture the German freighter or
q German blockade of the harbors Of
the Spanish Socialist government, the
spokesman said:
IT have no official information yet
q 10 what to tell you about these pos
abilities
Meanwhile, approximately 100000
young Germans in the Reich were pre-
pairing to join the army Monday as
new recruits.
A dispatch December "a from
Madrid said q report from Bilbao as
serted the German freighter Palos was
brought into the harbor there.
escorted by two Socialist government
gunboats, after officers allegedly had
found "contraband" destined for
Fascist insurgents.
The German vessel, en- route from
Hamburg, was reported in this dis
patch to have been proceeding to
Pasajes, Spanish seaport near San
Sebastian, with q cargo OF $500 tons
Of merchandise.
socTAUySTS uOJn CROIJND.