EXPLOSION OF A MINE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 290, 19 September 1936, Page 5

EXPLOSION OF A MINE.

DESTRUCTION AT TOLEDO.

REBELS’ SPIRIT UNDAUNTED. SURVIVORS REPULSE LOYALISTS AFTER MNE WEEKS’ SIEGE. (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) MADRID, September 18. - The attackers, after nine weeks of siege; exploded a mine and destroyed the insurgents’ stronghold at the Alcor znr at Toledo.

SURVIVORS STILL HOLD OUT.

“WE DIE TOGETHER.”

REPLY TO OFFER TO SURRENDER

(Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 18

Incredible though it seems, the survivors of the shattered Alcazar at Toledo are still holding out. They forced the Government forces to retire in the face of withering rifle and machinegun fire. The death-roll of the devastating explosion will probably never be known. It must be considerable, but the spirit of the desperate defenders remains unbroken.

The occupants of the fortress, believed to bo 1200 or 1400, have been given repeated to surrender or send out the women and children, but the only reply from the commander has been, “We die together.” Terrific explosions shook the whole city of Toledo. Windows were shattered throughout the city. Masonry, rifles, machine-guns and mutilated bodies were .thrown up from the fortress. A cloud of dust and smoke rose to the sky as the debris rattled down on the tragic scene.

WARSHIPS’ CREWS FIGHT.

HEAVY DEATH-ROLL RESULTS. THE LOYALISTS’ TRIUMPH. (Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 18. A wireless message from Teneriffe states that the crews of Government warships at Malaga fought among themselves, with a resultant heavy deathroll. The loyalists triumphed, and returned to the ships in the harbour.

HUMANISING UNDERTAKING.

EVACUATING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

(Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) PARIS, September 18,

The humanising influence of the Red Cross is being introduced by agreement on both sides in Spain. They have undertaken to respect the Geneva Red Cross Convention and have agreed to a reciprocal basis for the evacuation of women and children.