BATTLE FOR SAN SEBASTIAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 280, 8 September 1936, Page 5

BATTLE FOR SAN SEBASTIAN.

STRENGTHENING OF DEFENCES.

ASTURIAS MILITIA ACTIVE.

United Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 7.

A message from Hendaye says that the battle for Sail Sebastian has not yet begun, possibly owing to the characteristic disinclination of the rebels to press home the advantage conferred by the fall of Irun, or possibly owing to the realisation of the strength of the loyalist fortresses protecting the cityThe defenders include 7000 militia, who repulsed the rebel attacks eaily n August. They are entrenching and extending the defences, concentrating on strong-points around a village o\ oi - looked by Fort Trincherpe. - The insurgents, moving slowly along the Irun road, have reached Leyo and the outskirts of Rcntaria, where -he loyalists retain two factories which are virtually fortresses overlooking Passages Bay. The loyalists collected artillery at a. fort on Mount Ulia, immediately east of Ban Sebastian. Their infantry and machine-gun corps occupy the adjacent cliffs in force. ... . , The Asturias miners’ militia, with aircraft and artillery, have redoubled their efforts against Oviedo in the ho )3 of overcoming the stubborn resistance of the rebel general, Aranda. The cutting off of the water supply renders his situation precarious. . Unless the miners capture Oviedo soon enough to reinforce San Sebastian, the latter will be doomed and the fate of Asturias Province also sealed.

General Mola claims minor successes on various battle-fronts, none of permanent significance. The Madrid Government has prohibited house-to-house searches and unauthorised arrests, which have oft jn been -the result of private vendettas. The Popular Front Committee reserves to itself the right to make domiciliaiy visits and arrests and decrees the death penalty for those infringing the prohibition. Barcelona adopted similar treasures last week.

SAN SEBASTIAN FORT AFIRE. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 7. A message from Hendaye says that a fort on the outskirts of San 'Sebastian is aflame. Extremists are sinking fishing boats in the harbour.