LULL IN FIGHTING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 245, 29 July 1936, Page 5

LULL IN FIGHTING

SPORADIC CONFLICTS.

LOYALISTS’ GREATEST TASK.

IMPORTANT VILLAGE RETAKEN.

REBELS’ DEFENCE OF VITTORIA.

"WOMEN OCCUPY, BARRICADES. (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. Apart from sporadic engagements and preparation for others, what m*iy e described as an apprehensive lull prevails in the Spanish theatres of war. The Government is steadily consolidating its resources for a supreme effort. It has authorised a special credit of £1,110,000 to expedite the suppression of the revolt. The subjugation of Saragossa is tho greatest task facing, the loyalists. To this end columns arc steadily assembling. The air base at Lerida has been strengthened to 15 aeroplanes. Three batteries of artillery have been dispatched to Lerida from Barcelona. The rebel commander at Saragossa (General Caballero) declares his ability to repel any attack. Nevertheless, the general situation undoubtedly favours the Government, while both sides are beginning to recognise that the sti ug~ gle must be protracted far beyond the earlier estimates. The triumph of the rebels at Gyarzun, in the north, was short-lived. Republican militia from San Sebastian and Irun recaptured the village, which strategically is important, after a shaip fight, introduced by field guns, for which ammunition is now plentiful, consummated by a dashing bayonet charge.- The rebels retreated into the mountains. This, with the surrender of the Loyola garrison at San Sebastian, clears the Guipuzcoa Province of insurgents and releases sufficient troops to enable the loyalist column to march on to Vittoria, which is still in the hands of the rebels.

The defenders, apprehending further attack, placed the city in a completo state of defence. They dug trenches and built barricades in every street. Women are occupying tho trenches side by side with the men. Tho Spanish cruiser Almirante Valdes arrived at Cartagena, the loyalist crewhaving imprisoned the rebel officers. Casablanca reports that the morale of the rebel troops in Morocco is weakening because they have not been paid since the revolt began. They have reminded their officers that they were regularly paid under the Government. Summarising the situation, it may be said that the Government is relying ion four strategic moves for early execution, namely, an assault on Sara- » gossa, an advance against Seville, an attack on Cordobra, and a comprehensive effort in the Sierra Guadarrama Segovia. Not the least lucky of the refugees whom the destroyer Gallant landed at Marseilles from Barcelona was William Lamb, of Nottingham, who was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for alleged complicity in a murder, in which an appeal was pending. He walked out to liberty when all the prisons at Barcelona were opened.

CLAIM BY REBEL LEADERS.

“MADRID CERTAIN TO FALL.”

BOMBING BY LOYAL PLANES

MADRID, Julj 28. The struggle is developing into a war of attrition. The victory is likely to go to the side vvitu the biggest reserves. Both sides continue to profess invincibility. General Mola, in an interview, counted his chickens, declariing that Madrid was certain ao fall soon, after which it would be easy to crush resistance elsewhere. ‘ »‘e will then concentrate on building up an army and making Spain one of the strongest nations of Europe, he said, “with government by a military dictatorship. There is no question of restoring the monarchy. General Mola’s brave words seem part of the rebels’ policy of window dressing. Their actual tactics ate based on caution rather than bravado. Certainly no attempt to attack Madrid will be made until thenforces are considerably stronger. A siege of the capital would expose, the assailants to the danger of being caught in the rear through the intricate passes of the Guadarrama mountains Government aeroplanes repeatedly and successfully bombed the rebel headquarters at San Rafael, destroying tho barracks and troops on the march. The transport of General Dellano is similarly immobilised in the south, where the Government has been strengthened by the action of individual supporters, who are systematically destroying bridges, roads and railways. The fighting is at present concentrated round San Sebastan and between Gibraltar and Malaga. REBEL APPEAL FOR AID. MADRID, July 28. At Seville, the rebel leader General De Llano, broadcast an appeal for help to the British, German and Italian Governments. A Madrid newspaper, “Heraldo,” states that Huelva miners entered Seville, and after a hard fight against the rebels, General De Llano fled.