THE PLIGHT OF SAN SEBASTIAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 279, 7 September 1936, Page 5

THE PLIGHT OF SAN SEBASTIAN.

THE POPULACE TERRIFIED.

MASSACRE FEARED ON CAPTURE (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 6. San Sebastian is a tragic contrast to the city ten days ago. The shops are closed and food and water are rationed. The population is terrified fit the prospect of incendiarism and massacre. The women held a mass meeting and pleaded with the leaders of the Popular Front to surrender. The Basque Nationalists and Socialists supported them but the Anarchists and Communists, aware that they would be shot out of hand if the town were captured, are determined to resist to the last man and leave only ruins behind. Confusion reigns, accentuated by tlio knowledge that the rebel vanguard is only four miles away.

Though Iran is still burning, families are filtering back to search among the charred ruins of their homes. The invaders of Iran spared the churches. Armoured cars thundered down the main street and annihilated the few remaining machine-gunners, who were holding out to the last. General Boerlegui, commanding the victorious troops, was shot in the leg, but restored order when the soldiers began looting the wine. He then retired for medical attention.

The rebel losses are estimated at 500 killed and wounded.