Evening Star Newspaper, May 31, 1937, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Fair and warmer tonight; tomorrow fair, warm, followed by thundershowers; cooler tomorrow night and Wednesday. Temperatures—Highest, 85, at 4:15 p.m. vesterday; lowest, 64, at 5 a.m. today. Full report on page A-2. New York Stock Market Closed Today Entercd as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. 8th YEAR. No. 33,998. ch WASHINGTON, D. C, MONDAY, MAY 31 WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ’ 1937—THIRTY-FOUR PAGES. ¢ Toening Star ¥ The only SATURDAY'S Circulation, (Some retur 132,544 evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press and Wirephoto Services. News SUNDAY'S Circulation, ns not vet received.) 147,209 (#) Means Associated Press. TWO CENTS. GERMANS SHELL ALMERIA AS REPRISAL STEEL STRIKE RIOT ENDS WITH TRUCE AS 5 ARE KILLED AND 8 INJURED lllinois Governor Will Re- sume Conference Tonight. Many Shots Exchanged in Bloody Clash. PPOLICE ARE ON GUARD AS PICKETS GATHER i T W Three of Dead Unidentified in Bat- Il tle at Republic Plant—Guns, Tear Gas Bombs and Clubs Are Brought Into Play Before Se- rious Fighting Is Halted. B the Assoclated Press. CHICAGO, May 31.—The death toll of the bloody riot near the South Chi- cago plant of the Republic Steel Corp. mounted to five today as strikers, company officials and police declared | & T MEMORIAL DAY, 1937! & temporary truce. Joseph Rothmand., 40, succumbed of bullet wounds at the Bridewell Hos- pital. The other known victim was Earl Hanley, 40, who died of a skull fracture. Three others slain in the battle remained unidentified. Memorial Rites at Fort Stevens To Close 3-Day Observance At least 88 others, including 23 po- licemen, were in hospitals with gun- shot wounds, fractured skulls or broken limbs. 500 Shots Declared Fired. Witnesses estimated more than 500 shots were fired-in the course of vi- cious hand-to-hand combat which a physician said resembled “a virtual massacre.” The participants, including many | Bring'ho b clote A i ol e women, used clubs, brickbats. steel 4 £ z bolts and slingshots, in their attempt 1 rial services .m honor of the soldier | to break ‘through police lines and dc:‘)?)ot‘h:ut)i?lzsfield S close the Republic pl: y force. 22 A police golml Op{a;]; Eim; F:um'd where President Lincoin stood under ; % enemy fir h Ise atound the Republic plant today, | SPOMY Xgn‘;“;\ig‘;:‘tfi?"gi‘,‘ifv‘;fl'g‘:l_ | although no further trouble was an- | hCE) on i Washinsto handful of ticipated pending the outcome of a | Ston, 8 L =econd conference tonight of Gov. Henry Horner and representatives of the company and the strikers. | (Pictures on Page B-1.) | Washington today prepared to { the final major service of the more than 50 services held during the three A small group of pickets, driven | 1o < : from the vicinity by police last night, | hays Of MemOrial day observances were back at their posts near the plant | “yynqgreds of patriotic societies, or- gates. Authorities said they Would | ganizations of vterans, church groups .’,m[ be gvnterr.ercd with so long as| gng military units have participated peaceful” picketing continued. INn- | golemn rites at soldier graves in | Spot Where Lincoln Watched Battle Scene of Final Exercises of Many Groups. survivors of that war were to gather | | with local citizens at 3:30 p.m. for | | Arlington National Cemetery and| other local burial grounds and in com- | memorative exercises at local monu- ments honoring those who fought for | their country. The local observance reached its cli- max yesterday afternoon in the gleam- ing marble amphitheater at Arlington | National Cemetery, where more than 6.000 war veterans, leaders in Wash- ington official life, local citizens and visitors to Washington gathered for the annual services. Survivors Attend Rites. In the presence of 70 survivors of the U. S. S. President Lincoln, tor- pedoed and sunk 19 years ago today by a German submarine, a tablet in | honor of the 26 memb BEFOR 100010 Governor Gives Assurance. Thirty-Three Drivers Begin Gov. Horner, who called a hasty v conference of police heads, company | Speedway Battle Paced by De Palma. representatives and strike leaders aft- BULLETIN. er the battle, said early today he was “quite sure” there would be no fur- INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY, May 31 (#).—Driving at record- ther bloodshed. Although the Governor declined to breaking speed, Wilbur Shaw, In- dianapolis, led the 500-mile auto- tlisclose further details, a union rep- mobile race over the Indianapolis resentative who asked that his name be withheld said an ‘“understanding” Motor Speedway at the end of 100 miles today. had been reached whereby police and strikers would take no further action pending the outcome of tonight's con- ference. When the rioters left a union mass teeting and headed for the Pepublic plant at South Chicago, police warned them that the company's property | * rights would be protected. Unable to| halt the rush, officers swung their clubs, but to no avail. They were out- numbered five to one. Guns Brought Into Play. | Then guns flashed in volley after; p ... = 5 5 v S d Pres volley, tear :nbs spread their | T 'h¢ Assoclate s choking fumes throughout the battle- | SPEFDWAY, Indianapolis, May 31.| field, bricks and stones made a verita- | —Thirty-three drivers at the wheels ble barrage, and clubs of wood, iron |Of Perhaps the fastest field ever as- and lead were wielded. | sembled roared away at 10 a.m. (cen- L . | tral standard time) today in the 500« OfT:“::le:g‘d“gaa’i‘c‘lw‘“}:‘l’fl‘:;‘““fl"“ff;:‘: | mile automobile race over the India- who had joined their ranks, were left | papolls MDD Speer%\\'ay. lying on the marshy tract. Thousands of excited fans crowded | : 50 .. | the Speedway through every gate as w}"}’;fieu“’fgg‘in“zflm into the prairie | ne Tace started. It was estimated | DicEuD S that 100,000 were inside at the time | In marching on the plant, strikers x | = | and fully 50,000 more were expected as had hoped to close the Republic mill, | quickly as blocked highways were where 1,400 loyal workers have bcm‘cleared turning out steel despite the sternest | i — == The cars, lined up three abreast in LF.LCHANPIONS FRD ENPLOYES Green Opens Fight Against U. A. W. A. to Enroll Com- pany’s Workers. BACKGROUND— The automobile industry was John L. Lewis’ first major wedge in his fight against the A. F. of L. There have been varying claims of the members carricd by the latter and the U. A. W. A, a C. 1. O. affiliate. In the unionism fight in the Ford plants is seen a real test of tie general C. I. O. strength. The leanings of Ford employes have been declared toward the A NESL, By the Assoctated Press. DETROIT, May 31.—A battle loom- ed today between the American Fed- eration of Labor and the United Auto- mobile Workers for members among employes of the Ford Motor Co. and other automobile producers. This prospect appeared with the assertion of F. J. Dillon, an official of the American Federation of Labor, that Ford workers have asked him to help them oppose the U. A. W. A, an affiliate of John L. Lewis’ Committee for Industrial Organization. To Confer on Charters. The rival union official said he ewould confer in 10 days with William Green, A. F. L. president, on final plans to issue local charters in the automobile industry “to any one.” Leaders of the U. A. W. A, which plans to send its envoys to the gates of the Ford Rouge plant again this week, claimed to be unconcerned over the report of Dillon, famerly presi- dent of the U. A. W. A “Dillon long since has been re- pudiated by the Automobile Workers,” commented Homer Martin, U. A. W. A. president, who succeeded Dillon B ElDh e k) 11 rows, flashed away with the burst- | e A e ing of a bomb as the starting signal. | BLUM OFFERS NEw Gray-haired Ralph de Palma, once a | | famous driver, paced the racers on the | first lap, while the thousands of spec- ARMS PROPOSALS !tators, ‘sweltering in _mid-Summer ! heat, stood and cheered as the field S e——r—— moved away with motors roaring. .| The spectators shed their coats for France to Renew ‘Aplnleal to Rea comfort. The mile-long grandstands son, Says Deladier, in Memo- were packed. Countless thousands i drove their cars into the infield for a rial Address. close-up view of the race. By the Associated Press. | De Palma, now 55 years old, led the PARIS, May 31.—The government | racers around the two-and-a-half-mile of Premier Leon Blum today prepared | track at a speed of 80 miles an hour. new proposals for the international | rThat first lap did not count in the reduction and control of armaments |race and as De Palma swung to the to be presented at Geneva. edge of the track, the drivers stepped Vice Premier Edouard Daladier, sec- ond-ranking member of the People's Front government, disclosed that the new disarmament move was afoot yesterday in an American Memorial day address at Suresnes Cemetery amid the graves of American World War dead. “France will renew her appeal to reason in favor of an immediate limi- tation,” Daladier declared, adding that the movement will become appar- ent within a few days. Diplomatic circles believed the French proposals might be made to- day at Geneva by Joseph Paul Bon- cour, permanent French delegate to the League of Nations. Daladier spoke at the dedication of an American Expeditionary Force chapel, one of seven memorials in- augurated throughout France in the most extensive French observance of the American commemorative anni- versary. Fd A on the gas officially to start their { grueling grind. As they crossed the starting line the great throng of spec- tators let loose cheers that almost drowned out the roar of the motors. Dick Merrill, famous trans-Atlantic aviator, and Jack Lambie, Merrill's co-pilot on his recent round-trip flight over the Atlantic, were the honored starters. W. S. Knudsen, president of General Motors, was official referee. Although 28 drivers and mechanics lost their lives in previous races and trials, officials held out hope that to- day’'s race, the 25th, would have a minimum of accidents. Two persons were killed in two separate accidents during the qualifying trials. The drivers were battling for prizes totaling $100,000. The Speedway hung $60,000, with $20,000 going to the winner, $10,000 to second place, $5,000 to third, and fourth $3,500. The first 10 to finish share in the prise money. last August. No Immediate Strike Feared. Before these developments, U. A. W. A. members close to the union’s high command predicted there would be no strike at the Ford plant here this Summer. One union man said a prolonged strike during: the production *slack season,” which already has begun, would have relatively little effect on the company, but might demoralize union forces. A strike threat in the Fall, when new model production usually begins, would be more effective, this source said, in labor negotiations. Dillon asserted the C. 1. O.s Ford drive “is the beginning of the crack- up of John L. Lewis.” He said the Chrysler agreement was “the first flat tire for Lewis, but the. big puncture will be Henry' Ford.” < “The A. F. L. already ;is in the RELIEF PASSAGE SEEN TOMORROW Road Fund Earmarking Lone Difficulty Facing Final Set- tlement of Bill. BACKGROUND— Failing in eflorts to cut relief ap- propriations by $500,000,000, rebel- lious House bloc then sought to earmark the bulk of the $1,500,- 000,000 authorized in the bill. Despite efforts of House leadership to hold members in check, they put through several amendments, one of which would cut salary of P. W. A. Administrator Hopkins by $2,000 a year. Bs the Associated Press. Administration leaders expressed the belief today they had composed all differences over the $1,500,000,000 relief bill, except for a proposal to earmark $150,000,000 for highway con- struction. They said they were optimistic that disagreement might be adjusted speed- ily and the measure given final House approval tomorrow. Representatives who had sought to designate specific sums for public works and flood control were described as satisfied by an understanding reached at a week-end conference between President Roosevelt and Majority Leader Rayburn. The agree- ment provided that $150,000,000 and $45,000,000, respectively, would be spent for those purposes. Rayburn also talked with the Presi- dent about the CRASH ENDS FLIGHT British Flyer Cracks Up on Cape- to-Croydon Try. BULAWAYO, Southern Rhodesia, May 31 (#)—David Llewellyn, British flying officer, attempting a record Cape-to-Croydon flight, crashed today at Serowe, Bechuanaland. The plane was badly damaged and he was wedged in his seat. His outward at- tempt ended in a forced landing near his goal. Summary of Page. Page. Amusements B-16 | Radio Comics ..B-14-15 | Short Story .B-11 Editorials ... A-8 | Society .. B-3 Lost & Found A-3 | Sports Obituary .__A-10 | Woman's Pg. A-13 FOREIGN. Loyalist liner is reported torpedoed by insurgents. Page A-1 NATIONAL. 100,000 see start of speedway races at Indianapolis. Page A-1 Early tax evasion probe is promised by Doughton. Page B-2 WASHINGTON AND VICINITY. Services here end 3-day Memorial day observance. Page A-1 C. I. O. leaders to push fight on A F.of L. Page A-1 Relief truce, House passage seen to- morrow. Page A-1 Court decisions remove ‘“necessity” for bill, supporter says. Page A-2 Congressional hearings to start on ‘wage-hour bill. Page A-2 Townsend blast at court bill arouses erstwhile supporters. Page B-1 Hatch to ask Senate action on unem- ployment probe. Page A-3 D. C. youth, injured in air crash, still wants to fly. Page B-1 Disabled veteran offers $4.98 for Gov- ernment lighthouse. Page A-5 D. C. officials defer final action on tax bill drafting. Page B-1 Beven colored persons die in fire near Crisfield. Page B-1 Washington man drowned swimming near Leonardtown. Page B-1 French, British Confer on Events. BULLETIN. German Ambassador Hans Dieck- hoff said today his government had informed him that it contem- plated no further reprisals against the Spanish loyalist government in connection with the attack on the German cruiser Deutschland. BULLETIN. Senator Borah called today for application of American neutrality law to “all participants” in the bombing of Almeria. By the Associated Press. LONDON, May 31.—Germany and Italy withdrew today from the Eu- ropean Neutrality Committee after bristling guns of German warships battered the Spanish government port of Almeria in the first open attack in the civil war by a foreign power. Germany and Iialy will refuse to attend future sessions of the 27-nation committee designed to localize the Spanish war and keep the peace of Europe, Germany disclosed, until there are definite assurances of discontin- uance of attacks such as bombard- | ment of the Nazi battleship Deutsch- land. The disclosure was in a letter by Joachim von Ribbentrop, German Am- | bassador to London, to Lord Plymouth, | chairman of the Non-intervention Committee. (Italy simultaneously an- | nounced her withdrawal in a state- | ment ordered by Premier Mussolini in | Rome.) | Von Ribbentrop's letter said today's shelling of Almeria, Southern Medi- | terranean port, was in retaliation for Spanish war plane bombardment of | the Deutschland. in which 24 German | sailors were Kkilled and 82 wounded Saturday. Neither Italy nor Germany will at- tend future sessions of the Neutrality Committee until guarantees against such incidents are received, Von Rib- bentrop's letter made clear. Announcement of Rome’s action was | made by Count Dino Grandi, Italian | member of the Neutrality Committee, ! in London. 11 Duce demanded not only full sat- isfaction for the bombing of the | Italian auxiliary naval ship Barletta | off the port of Palma and the death | of six of her officers, but also guar- antees against repetitions of such at- | tacks. BLUM CALLS PARLEYS. | PARIS, May 31 (#).—A source close | to the French foreign office said today | |that an immediate “exchange of | views” between the French naval min- istry and the British admiralty had followed the news of the shelling of " (See INTERNATIONAL, Page A-T. |MARTHA RAYE IS BRIDE IN NEVADA ELOPEMENT Es the Assoclated Press, LAS VEGAS, Nev., May 31— Martha Raye, 20, film comedienne who has appeared on Chicago and | New York stages, and her husband, | Mamilton (Buddy) Westmore, 21, screen make-up artist, were honey- mooning today while the actress’ | mother in Hollywood expressed re- gret over the elopement. “They promised me they would not marry for two years,” said Mrs. Peggy Reed, her mother. After the mar- riage, the bridal party left for South- ern California, but reports from there were that they had failed to return today. Today’s Star Two killed, 14 hurt in traffic acci- dents. Page B-1 Boy Scout jamboree insured against every hazard. Page B-1 Fine Arts Commission protests Gobel slaughter house project. Page B-1 SPORTS. Griffs undaunted by prospect of in- vading West. Page A-16 Nationally ranked netmen spice city termis tourney. Page A-16 ‘Yankee netmen impressive in beating British Davis Cuppers. Page A-16 Gevinson, police card star, rated promising ringster. Page A-17 Shute foils jinx in repeating as P. G. A. champion. Page A-17 Twin greens proposed to end golf course congestior. Page A-17 EDITORIAL AND COMMENT. Editorials. Page A-8 ‘This and That. Page A-8 Washington Observations. Page A-8 Answers to Questions. Page A-8 David Lawrence. Page A-9 ‘What's Back of It All Page A-9 Dorothy Thompson. Page A-9 Constantine Brown. Page A-9 Healine Folk. Page A-9 MISCELLANY. Shipping News, Dorothy Dix. Betsy Caswell. ‘Young Washington. Crossword Puzzle, Nature's Children. Bedtime Story. Letter-Out. Page A-10 Page A-13 Page A-13 Page A-15 Page B-14 Page B-14 Page B-15 Page B-15 | stood he placed War News Cuts Hull’s Holiday AsU. S. Watches Crisis Closel y By the Associated Press, ECRETARY HULL cut short a brief holiday in Virginia and returned to Washington today to study reports from abroad on the situation created by the German bombardment of Almeria. He and other high administra- tion officials awaited further de- velopments with unconcealed anx- iety. All withheld comment. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles, who had been acting Sec- HAYASHI RESIGNS JAPANESE POST Takes Cabinet Out as De- termined Attacks Con- tinue. Fy the Associated Press. TOKIO, May 31.—The cabinet of Gen. Senjuro Hayashi resigned today under the determined attacks of the major Japanese political parties. Before he left for the palace to present his short-lived government's resignation to the Emperor, Hayashi summoned an emergency meeting of his colleagues, in which it was und the issue of their unpopularity squarely up to them. The premier remained at the im- | perial palace only a short while and then hurried to a conference with Baron Kiichiro Hiranuma, president of the Privy Council. Hayashi, despite a sweeping man- date to the parties opposed to him in the parliamentary election the first of this month, had declined to resign and had threatened to govern with- out a Parliament if necessary. FLIGHTS TO BEGIN ACROSS ATLANTIC Imperial Airways Officials An- nounce June 24 for Service Over Newfoundland. ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, May | 31 (Canadian Press) —Officials of Imperial Airways announced today the air line and Pan-American Air- ways would begin trans-Atlantic flights via Newfoundland June 24. The announcement did not specify in what direction the flights would be, but Pan-American plane from New York, both taking off at about the same time. The flights, without mail or pas- sengers, would be strictly experimental, similar to tests made last week over a proposed route between the United | States and Bermuda. OIL STRIKE END URGED BY MEXICAN PRESIDENT Workers in Other Industries Asked to Refrain From Join- ing in Crippling Walkout. By the Assoclated Press. MEXICO CITY, May 31.—Presi- dent Lazaro Cardenas appealed today for a quick termination of the national oil workers’ strike and urged workers in other industries to refrain from sympathy walkouts that might fur- ther cripple the nation. The President's first official pro- nouncement concerning the strike came as negotiation for settlement of the strike of 18,000 workers collapsed. Employers’ representatives withdrew from an arbitration conference when the workers presented modified de- mands for increased wages, shorter hours, longer vacations and pensions. The new demands were termed “absurd” by the employers. The labor syndicate, seeking & blanket labor contract for the in- dustry, asked a minimum daily wage of six pesos (about $1.68), vacations of 30 days, a 40-hour work week with pay for 56 hours and a pension scale ranging from 170 per cent after 25 years’ employment to 100 per cent at 30 years. The legality of the strike, which started Thursday at midnight, was recognized by the federal district of conciliation and arbitration. D. C. NAVAL OFFICER DIES Navy Authorities Say Lieut. Tol- son Committed Suicide. CHEFOO, China, May 31 (#).— United States naval authorities said today Lieut. David Watkins Tolson, U. 8. N, of Washington, D. C,, com- mitted suicide Sunday night aboard the U. 8. 8. Pecos. ‘They ascribed nervous depression as s reason for the act. Lieut. Tolson, who was 33, is survived by his widow, y ] it was believed here a British | plane would fly from England and a retary during Hull's absence since last Monday, came to his office at the State Department early today despite the fact that the depart- ment was officially closed for the Memorial day holiday. As fast as the State Department telegraph room received dispatches bearing on the Spanish situation, they were rushed direct to Welles. Hull's aides said they expected the Secretary to keep President Roosevelt informed at Hyde Park, N. Y, of all developments. [TALIANS BLAMED FOR SINKING SHIP Submarine Torpedoed Loy- ' alist Vessel, Sinking 50, Catalan Officials Say. By the Associated Press, BARCELONA. Spain, Catalan government May officials 31— an- | nounced today they had confirmed that an Italian submarine launched the torpedo that sank the Spanish passenger liner Ciudad de Barcelona. They declared 50 passengers were drowned and several others were in- jured when the ship was sent to the bottom of the Mediterranean yester- day. An official announcement said: “Yesterday morning a submarine which was unmistakably of Italian nationality attacked a Spanish mer- | chant ship in Spanish waters without | than an hour. any warning. “The merchant ship continued its route without being touched by tor- pedoes. One of these torpedoes went aground on Calella Beach where tech- nical experts, after an examination, confirmed it wa$ of Italian manufac- ture. “At 3 p.m, the same day, the sub- marine, still in Spanish waters near Malgrat, attacked the motorship Ciu- dad de Barcelona. which sank in less Fifty passengers were drowned; several others injured. REPORTS AT VALENCIA. Defense Ministry Says Ship Was Sunk | by “Unknowns.” VALENCIA, Spain, May 31 (#).—The Spanish liner Ciudad de Barcelona, | heavily laden with passengers, was re- ported today to have been torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean by an insurgent submarine off Barc:lona. No estimate of possible casualties was available, but the 3,946-ton vessel was believed to have left Marseille with a long passenger list. Dispatches from Barcelona, govern- ment stronghold on the East coast, said the attacking submarine was part of insurgent Gen. Francisco Franco's naval forces. ‘The defense ministry of the Madrid- Valencia government announced the | Ciudad de Barcelona was sunk by a submarine “of unknown nationalit The incident occurred in Mediterra- | nean waters patrolled by Italian and German naval vessels as part of the | London Non-intervention Committee's blockade to halt men and arms bound for Spain, in the general region where other maritime incidents brought grave international complications to the Spanish civil war. Two torpedoes were fired at the Ciudad de Barcelona, the defense min- istry said. One projectile scored a direct hit and sent the passenger ves- sel to the bottom, about 37 miles northeast of the Catalan capital. The same submarine had earlier at- tacked the Spanish merchant ship Zorrora in the same vicinity. Two tor- pedoes were launched at the ship, but she escaped undamaged. The ministry said the attack on the Ciudad de Barcelona occurred at 1:30 pm. (6:30 am. Eastern standard time) Sunday. Two seaplanes, which had been acting as convoy for the passenger ship, immediately opened fire on the enemy vessel, but the sub- marine did not appear above the sur- BULLETIN. The Fire Department Rescue Squad and harbor police rushed to Shepherd's Point, below the Home for the Aged at Blue Plains, D. C., this afternoon after two boys were reported drawned in the Potomac River. As the Rescue Squad left its headquarters a report was re- ceived that one of the boys had been brought to the surface. No 5:30 Today Due to the holiday the 5:30 and Night Final editions of The Star will not be published today. Subscribers to these edi- tions will receive the home edition. PORT BOMBED WITHOUT WARNING BY NAZIS AS BERLIN, ROME QUIT NON - INTERVENTION COMMITTEE < Relief Offices Destroycd in Fighting. Br the Assoctated Press. ALMERIA, Spain, May 31.—At least 19 persons, including five women and a child, were killed today in a Ger- man bombardment of Almeria “with= out warning,” official Spanish | sources declared. A hasty survey of the wreckage left by the shells from five German war vessels counted at least 55 persons in- jured, 39 houses destroyed and eight | others badly damaged. Heavy property damage was re- ported under the shelling, which lasted half an hour during the early morning [ More than 200 shells were pumped into the city. exploding in various quarters, the Febus reports said. One of the buildings said te have been razed by the cannonading was e headquarters of the relief admin- tion. A first aid station and a newspaper office also were destroyed, the agency said. One heavy German war vessel and four destroyers, it reported, lined up outside the harbor to fire the broad- sides. | Coast batteries answered the fire of the German vessels and the Febus reports said one of the destroyers was believed to have been hit. The seaport city of Almeria is the capital of the Sp: same name. It is on the Spar approximately 80 miles east of Malaga which was seized by the insurgents in a sweeping campaign three months | ago. Its population is normally about 36,000. Tens of thousands of the inhabitants of Malaga fled to Almeria for refuge after the insurgent occupation of the seaport farther west. The harbor of Almeria, which ex- ports large quantities of grapes and other southern fruits, is important because of proximity to sulphur de- | posits. CABINET IS CONVENED. Valencia Fears Civil War May Be Made International. VALENCIA, May 31 (#.—The cab- inet of Spain's Republic convened | hastily today to meet the grave situa- uon created by a German retaliatory bombardment of the government-held Mediterranean port of Almeria, (Advices received at Hendave, on | the Franco-Spanish frontier, from in- | surgent sources, said Premier Juan Negrin, who recently formed a “win the war” cabinet, had resigned in fa- vor of Julian Besteiro, veteran Soe cialist leader.) | Government officials immediately | established telephone contact with Julio Alvarez Del Vayo, Spanish gov- | ernment delegate at the League of Nations. Valencia Is Tense. The city, temporary seat of the | government, was calm but tense. Its harassed populace, itself recently heavy hit by an insurgent air raid, | feared the bombardment of Almeria would change Spain's civil war into | an open international conflict. Residents were in a state of con- stant vigilance, alarmed that Germany might continue its reprisals for the | aerial bombing of the German pocket | battleship Deutschland with an attack against this city. Officials made no comment on re- | ports that German newspapers were | demanding full revenge for the death of 24 members of the Deutschland's i crew and injuries to 82 others, 18 of them critical. Communique Describes Battle. A communique issued by the defense ministry said: “The military commander at Almeria sent the following note to the defense ministry this morning at 8 o'clock (3 a.m. Eastern standard time.): “‘About 5:30 Monday morning (12:30 a.m. Eastern standard time) I | was advised a cruiser and four Ger- | man destroyers were steaming toward | Almeria from the direction of Carta= gena. | ‘At 5:45 am. (12:45 a.m. Eastern standard time) these ships were at & distance of 20 kilometers (12!, miles), headed directly toward Almeria and continuing to advance. When they were at a distance of 12 kilometers (712 miles), according to a check by instruments of coastal defense bate teries, they opened fire without warmn- ing on the people of Almeria “‘Instead of trying to hit definite targets they spread their fire over the whole city, discharging an estimated 200 shells. * ‘Coast batteries replied with about 60 shots. It appeared as though one of the destroyers was hit. “‘At 6:30 am. (1:30 am. E. 8. T.) the German squadron ceased firs and steamed away, laying a smoke screen behind it. Saw German Colors. “‘The coast battery observatorys clearly distinguished the German coles ors flying from enemy warships as they approached Almeria via Cabo de Gata, continuing until they were op- posite Roquetas, where they turned to steam directly toward Almeria. “ ‘Spreading out in battle formation, they obstructed all entrance to the bay. They likewise departed via Cabo de Gata, steaming east. “‘A number of buildings were de- stroyed in the city. The number of killed and wounded cannot for the moment be estimated.”