BATTLE THREAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 173, 23 July 1936, Page 7

BATTLE THREAT.

CIVIL WAR IN SPAIN.

Rebels Stilr Dominate Large

Area of Country,

HEAVY FIGHTING REPORTED

United Press Association.—Copyright,

(Received 11.30 a.m.) MADRID, July 22.

The threatened battle between rejjel and loyalist forces has not yet developed. The Government claims that on patrolling the most of the Madrid-Burgos Roacl there were no signs of the enemy, but there seems no doubt that most of the country from the French frontier to Saragossa and Burgos is dominated by the rebels, whose morale is reported to be excellent.

Heavy fighting occurred west of Barcelona, and the decisive battle will probably take place in the Sierras, about 00 miles north of Madrid.

The situation in Southern Spain is confused, both sides continuing to claim victory. Loyalist airmen are itching to bomb the rebels in Toledo and Segovia, but as • they occupy historic buildings which the Government does not wish to harm, efforts are being made to induce them' to surrender.

General Dellano proclaimed a military dictatorship throughout Spain in tlio name of General Francisco Franco, who threatens to punish his opponents pitilessly.

Madrid continues to be calm. It is reported that 31 'planes bombed Caserne, forcing the leaders of the rebels to surrender.

Counter Broadcasts. The Minister of the Interior at noon, in a broadcast, claimed that the rebels are in general rout throughout Spain, except at Saragossa, Valladolid and Seville.

Broadcasting from Seville General DeLiano claimed that rebel aeroplanes silenced three Government warships bombarding Cadiz.

According to a message from Lisbon refugees arriving there say that Galicia, the farthest north province of Spain on the Atlantic Coast, is entirely in the hands of the rebels.

The Spanish Government in an earlier broadcast in English to the British Empire and to the United States stated that the danger of a military dictatorship may be considered to be over.

The Government in a communique says it is estimated that 500 people were killed and 3000 wounded in the fighting at Barcelona.

The Communist newspaper "Mundo Obrero" states that 110 rebel officers and 200 other ranks were found dead when the Montana barracks were captured.

The Spanish frontier guards at Hendaye have joined the rebels.

WARSHIPS SUNK?

Inconclusive Report of a Rebel Success. MUTINY ON BATTLESHIP. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON", July 22. General Dellano reports that three Government warships bombarding Cadiz were sunk by rebels, but this is probably due to their departure for Puente Mayorga, between Algeeiras and La Linea in search of the fuel denied them at Gibraltar. A Spanish tanker, the Ophir, supplied Government warships with oil fuel, but the battleship Jaime Primeiro requires 1500 tons of coal, which is unobtainable. "The Times" Tangier correspondent says a wounded officer and four men were landed from the Jaime Primeiro, which afterwards departed. They state that the crew killed all the other officers and mastered the ship, which joined the Government forces.

MADRID'S DEFENCE.

DISPOSITION OF TROOPS,

(Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 22. The Government for the defence of Madrid on which rebels are advancing from Pamplona and Saragossa in the north, and Cadiz and Algeeiras in the south, include the formation of committees controlling workers distributed in the city and suburbs. There are 1500 ears for patrols and 200 in reserve guarded by machine-guns. Many girls accompany the patrols, which are * quelling the activities of snipers from roofs. Motor lorries have loft with several thousand militia for Saragossa. Another loyal column is about to converge on Saragossa from Catalonia. Besides the contact on the Buitrago heights, a rebel column is reported to be in action with Government troops 15 miles from Madrid. This means that the battle for the capital has actually begun. General Mola's troops are well trained and equipped with "motorised artillery whereas the defending army of 105,000* includes many inexperienced civilians. The Government claims to have captured Guadalajara, Toledo, Buitrago, LaTanja and Almanza. Their forces believed to be carrying out a strategic retreat from Navarre, which is preponderantly pro-Fascist. Captain Mola, a brother of the rebel commander, committe?l suicide at Barcelona.