ATTACK RESUMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 194, 17 August 1936, Page 7

ATTACK RESUMED.

OFFENSIVE IN NORTH. Rebel Bid for San Sebastion And Irun. OIL TANKS EXPLODED. United Press Association.—Copyright (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 16. Three converging insurgent columns supported by the warships Velaxco Espana and Almirante Cervera, resumed the suspended assault on Irun prior to advancing to San Sebastian. Meantime warships blew up Bilbao's oil depot though Loyalists wirelessed the Cervera that they had 1 placed 200 rebel hostages in the immediate vicinity in order to ensure the safety of the tanks. The hostages are believed to have perished in the explosion. Rebels prefer to isolate San Sebastian and starve it out rather than carry it by direct assault. Dispatches from Hendave, on the French side of the Spanish frontier, state that the fighting at Sail Sebastian and Irun continues with increased vehemence and every house in Henclayc is shaken by the firing of big guns. The crackle of machine-guns can be easily heard on the French side of the border. The rebels are making a supreme effort to gain the victory, but the Government forces are resisting with equal determination. The efficiency of the rebels' air bombing has improved miraculously in a very short time. The battle temporarily died down at mid-day and was resumed in the afternoon. Last -evening the Irun-San Sebastian road was still open, although the rebels claimed to have cut the Government forces' communications, also to have captured Bobadilla in Andalusia. Sightseers Watch Battle. Sightseers on the safe side of the Franco-Spanish frontier watched Government defenders in Irun climbing the Pyrenees foot hills overlooking Bidassoa River. Rebels sniped them from the scrub, Loyalists responding with machine-gun fire. Thousands of tourists occupicd vantage points on the riverbank. They sat at tables and sipped drinks while they trained field glasses on the Spaniards killing one another. So great was the press of motors on the frontier's roads that the scene resembled Ascot. Prior to the spectators' arrival a Loyalist armoured train, rushing over an adjacent bridge at dawn, scattered the rebels in a surprise attack and recovered several positions. They drove back their foes beyond Behobie, on the road to Endarlaza, which they still retain, together with commanding .positions on the Tolosa-San Sebastian road. Three Government columns reached within 20 miles of Saragossa. The defenders' munitions are low and the air forces small. The Loyalist capture of Pozoblanco, 60 miles north of Cordoba, has opened the way for an advance on the latter city. Rebels surrendered almost without a shot being fired, which is almost unprecedented. The Government, in preparation for capturing Majorca, has begun to disembark troops at Porto Pi, a suburb of Palma, capital of Majorca, supported by others from Barcelona.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE. BRITISH MINERS' PLIGHT. British Official Wireless. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 10. Representations were made on Friday to the Spanish Government at Madrid asking it to facilitate withdrawal to Huelva, where a British destroyer is stationed, of 37 British subjects who are members of the staff of tiie Rio Tinto mines. Their departure had been delayed owing to the attitude assumed by the local miners' committee. These representations were, it is understood, well received, and it is hoped local difficulties will shortly be overcome.

TO HELP REBELS. IRISH BRIGADE BEING FORMED DUBLIN, August 10. General O'Duffy, formerly leader of the Blue Shirts, is forming an Irish Brigade to help the rebels in Spain on the ground that the present conflict is not between Fascism and anti-Fascism, but between Christ and anti-Christ. The Madrid correspondent of "The Times" says the Spanish Government has issued a decree closing all establishments belonging to religious orders or congregations whose members, either directly or indirectly, have taken part with the insurgents. "Taking part with the insurgents" includes everything from direct armed action or resistance to subscribing funds or saying prayers for the success of the movement.

PORTUGAL'S PROTEST. SPANIARDS CROSS FRONTIER. LISBON, August 10. The Government of Portugal has protested to the Madrid Government demanding an indemnity for the violation of Portuguese territory by 30 armed militia men. These men crossed the frontier, damaged property belonging to Portuguese citizens and shot three Spanish refugees. Portugal also has demanded the release of five Portuguese reported to be imprisoned. Senlior Rosa, president of the Lisbon Radio Club, has called for volunteers to rescue the prisoners if the Spanish Government does not release them.