BITTER STRUGGLE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 244, 28 July 1936, Page 5

BITTER STRUGGLE

MERCILESS REVENGE.

ATROGITIES BY THE FASCIST‘S.

PR ELMIER? QUITE CONFIDENT.

(United Press lAssociation—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.5 mm.) MADRID, July 27.

The tide of war appears to be de~ finitely running in favour of the Government who claim control of the entire ceast, with the exception of that in the vicinity of Corunna, Cadiz and Algeciras. An important battle will possibly occur within sight of Gibraltar. A column of Loyalists from Malaga- are rapidly approaching the rebels from Algecii‘as. The Government also claims to hold the entire supplies of petrol on the peninsula and is daily receiving 1,000,000 cart-ridges from the munitions factories at Toledo and Murcia. rPhe Premier (Senor Gibral), when interviewed, said: “I am convinced that victory will be ours, because the navy, and air force support us. \Ve are already considering the reorganisation of the army, based: on strengthening the Popular Front. All danger of a siege of Madrid has disappeared.” Madrid is at its quietest since the rebellion broke out. Theatres, cafes and cinemas are open. Contributions of all kinds from blankets to champagne, are pouring in _to the militia headquarters. The rebels appear to be on the defensive in the greater part of Spain. Whenever they have engaged in offensive operations, it is in order to re. capture towns already lost _to the Gov—ernment.

Refugees continue to bring terrible stories of atrocities, looting and unre—strained: violence. Communist attacks have :been chiefly directed against the churches. The clergyi everywhere are afraid. The Fascists are avenging: themselves mercilessly on their adversaries setting fire to workers clubs and trade union headquarters. ~

The latest i'eports estimate that the rebels remaining in the Guadarrama Mountains number no more than 7000 01' 8000, Barcelona fears epidemics and shortage of food. The streets are strewn with dead bodies, many of which are partially burned, and: the stench is terrible. Chemists are short of swpplies. Food trains from Valencia and else—where have relieved the anxieties of Madrid. ‘

PIERCE FIGHTING.

FRANCO'S SAVAGE "ORDER. NO PRISONERS TO BE TAKEN. (Received This Day, 1.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 27. Fierce battles are progressing within 20 miles of Gibraltar. General Franco, in a desperate effort to overcome the Government forces round Malaga, is rushing troops from Morocco in seaplanes. He ordered the detention of male relatives of loyalist naval officers and men, threatening to shoot them if the vessels do not capitulate. The Government, on the contrary, opened the ranks of the women’s battalion of the Fifth Militia Regiment to any Madrid woman desirous of “fighting against the murderers of her father, husband, lover or brother.” Rebels are advancing from Algericas on Malaga, where damage by fire is estimated at £5,500,000, involving British Insurance Companies. Rebels claim to have killed 100 in. defeating 250 Government militia who disputed the passage of the Guadiaro River at E 1 Lesorillo, thirteen miles from Gibraltar. The rebels, who were armed with machine guns, lost only 12.

Three hundred, mostly loyalists, were killed in a battle with rebels on the outskirts of Estponia, a coastal tczwn in Malaga province, Whither the loyalist fleet, supported by bombing ’planes which destmyed the rebel hangars at Tetuan, is hastening, after bombing Mellia, in order to impede the landing of General Franco’s troops. Rebel legionaries advanced to Estponia and compelled the carabinieri, who are believed to sympathise with the Government, to march in the vanguard. It is unlikely that one will return alive, as orders have been given not to take prisoners and to beihead all Communists. . Rebels, defying the leyalists’ shellfire, charged with bayonets, both. sides engaging with hand grenades and cold steel. The legionaries were swiftly victorious, but the Government fog-res rallied and hurled themselves at the machine-guns, with desperate valo-ur. The issue is still doubtful.

A BIG OFFENSIVE. i . _ GOVERNMENT FORCES IN ACTION (Received. This Day, 10.5 a.m.) MADRID, July 27. The Minister of \Var has left for the Guadarrama front, where Government troops are launching a big offensive.