"To reinforce the argument the American note cited several precedents, including the case of the Copenhagen bombardment. The note stated that the bombardment of Copenhagen by the British fleet in 1807 was an attack made on the capital of another country without either a declaration of war or any warning whatever.
"But no claim was made by any third Power on the British Government for compensation for the losses sustained by its nationals. The American note further emphasized that in view of the precedents those foreigners who entrusted their property to a country which had no ability to protect and compensate were not entitled to make demands on another country for compensation for the losses of their property.
"If the principle advanced by the French Government were accepted in international law, the American note pointed out, it would lead to very dangerous consequences."—Domei.
The Prime Minister twitted thei Opposition with their new-found enthusiasm for the defence of British rights and property, and expressed doubt if their motives were entirely unmixed.
He charged them with desiring tol see intervention of the side of the Spanish Republican Government, and said that if the aim of the Opposition were really non-intervention it would behave them not to be diverted from it by any provocation.
Concluding Mr. Chamberlain said he trusted that it was not too late for the insurgent commander, General Franco, to issue instructions to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and, regarding the future, he asked the House to wait until the Government had received a reply and had an opportunity to consider it.
Protection ón High Seas Winding up the debate, Mr. R. A. Butler, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said that it might be legal, but it was not expedient, for British ships to go into these ports at the present time.
"We will protect British ships on the high seas," Mr, Butler declared.
The British Government, he added, proposed to continue to examine the suggestion of safety zones and free ports and were now engaged in dis-ensing with the Burgos authorities the subject of free ports The motion for adjournment of the Labour Opposition was defeated by 357 votes to 141
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.