FATE IN BALANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 206, 31 August 1936, Page 7

FATE IN BALANCE.

VITAL WEEK IN SPAIN. Precarious Conditions Exist In Madrid. BUTCHERY OF RIVALS. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. "The Times" Valencia correspondent, after describing the precariousness of existence in Madrid, says that while butchery will ensue if the rebels capture the city, it is meanwhile conducting butchery of its own. The correspondent details clandestine executions, as the result of which early pedestrians see corpses in the streets and the river. Some are flung out of passing cars in broad daylight. A deputation of Republican Socialists, after a series of murders in tlie model prison, begged the British Minister, Mr. Ogilvie-Forbes, to intervene. He motored to the Cabinet's battle headquarters and was admitted. What passed will make interesting histcry. Meanwhile, it will soon be. : shown whether the Government can retrieve the rapidly slipping situation or is impotent. There is just a chance of saving the Republic from foundering. The coming week may be critical. General Dellano, rebel leader in the south, broadcasting from Seville, says that 12,000 have been shot in Madrid, where the Government has increased the working day to 10 hours and is shooting any workmen making a protest. The insurgents created a sensation by claiming to hive driven back Government forces with heavy losses from Caizada, 00 miles from Toledo, central Spain. It was thought the rebels were at least 100 miles further away. Red Lion battalions are said to have been broken 'up and 12 macliine-guns, one tank and 2S lorries abandoned in the battle. Loyalists are reported to be blockading Huelva. Senor Gil Robles, head of the Right Wing group, has arrived at Burgos and conferred with General Mola, one of the principal rebel leaders. A message from Seville says General Dellano claims that 200 Government troops were killed and hundreds captured at Passionaria.

FURTHER EMBARGOES. PROBABLE LONDON" MEETING. LONDON, August 30. The Belgian, Danish and Turkish Governments have enforced an arms embargo on Spain. It is now certain that a committee, which will work out details of a non-intervention pact, will meet in London. RUMOURED MUTINY. MOORS PROMISED A MOSQUE. MADRID, August 30. Reports are current in Madrid that a regiment of Moors has mutinied. The rebels promised the Moors the famous mosque at Cordoba and also agreed to allow them to build a mosque in Madrid.

The rebels now control 30 provincial capitals with a combined population of 1,812,000 and the Loyalists 20 with 3,364,000 inhabitant.