Evening star., 1936-07-23
REBELS WARNED
BY BRITISH GUNS
VolIey From Warship An
sWers Air Bombs Laid to
Spanish Fascists.
by the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated ffesS.
GIBRALTAR, July 23.- British
naval guns doomed off this famous
rock today in grim warning to reck-
less Spanish Fascist air rebels.
H. M. S. Wild Swan, British de-
stroyer, sent out warning" volley
of Tarifa, Spain, in answer to air
bombs which splashed close to the
warship's bows.
simultaneously, British naval au-
thorities warned the rebel chieftains
they must cease their deliberate and
irresponsible bombing Of the shipping
straits" near the rock.
Britain and France joined, too. in
telling the Liberalist Spanish govern
ment to keep its feet out of the in
ternational harbor at Tangier, on the
Moroccan side of the narrow passage.
Refugees arriving in Gibraltar to-
day said they feared serious epi-
demic was imminent in the La Linea
vicinity.
More Than 100 Killed.
More than 100 persons were killed
there, many more wounded and thou
sands OF cattle and other animals left
to starve.
A report from Ceuta, Spanish Mo-
rocco, said the rebel chieftain, Gen.
Francisco Franco. was dispatching 500
members of the Foreign Legion across
the straits to Algeciras, en- route to
Malaga, to fight 10000 Liberalist gov
ernment supporters.
Ten thousand residents of Malaga
we're said to have fed to the hills.
The aviators, presumably rebels,
were stated to have dropped num-
ber of bombs which exploded close to
the Wild Swans bows.
After delivering an answering fire,
the British warship returned to Gil
braltar
Spanish officials Warned.
Previously the local authorities had
warned the Spanish, whose artillery
fire struck the rock yesterday, that
the British did not intend to have
such incidents repeated.
The acting governor of Gibraltar
protested to Gen. Francisco Franco.
leader of the rebellion, against rebel
planes flying over Gibraltar after
loyal commanders of Spanish war
ships had been given warning.
The governor said flying over the
fortress and its vicinity was in con-
travention of international treaties.
Capt j. Ripley, assistant military
secretary to the governor, boarded the
Spanish cruiser Cervantes, which was
f1ying the admiral's flag, and de-
manded to see the senior officer COM
manding the squadron.
A petty officer appeared, declaring
he was the commander. Captain
Ripley insisted on seeing the flag
officer and was conducted to the COM
mander. who was under arrest.
DiscIaims Responsibility.
Replying to the formal warning, the
commander stated he was no longer
responsible for the ship but informed
Ripley the petty officer was in charge.
Shortly afterward the squadron
steamed in the direction of Malaga.
Anti-aircraft batteries aboard the
Spanish warships yesterday fired on
rebel airplanes which bombed the
loyal vessels, some of the shells fall
ing on Gibraltar.
The insurgent aircraft attempted to
drive off the cruisers, which menaced
the rebel strongholds of Algeciras and
La Linea.
Gibraltar observers of the engage |
ment were forced to flee to cover when |
shells fell near the British town.
After the skirmish, two chimneys |
and roof garden on local hotel were |
found to have been damaged by ex-
ploding projectiles from the cruisers
Jaime I, Libertad and the Cervantes.
BRITAIN MAKES PROTEST.