MALAGA MENACED

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 237, 6 October 1936, Page 7

MALAGA MENACED

BIG ATTACK LIKELY. Rebels Land Reinforcements From Morocco. STRANGE ATTITUDE IN MADRID United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 5. Arriving at Santander, the Government naval division challenged the rebels "to come out and fight or surrender, otherwise we will destroy you all." • Meanwhile, Gibraltar reports state that the rebels are continuing elaborate preparations for an attack on Malaga by air, land and sea. This is expected this week. Some 16,000 troops have been transported by air and sea from Morocco in the last 10 days. The situation in this south coast city is desperate and food is scarce. Fighting continues south and east of Toledo. "The Times" correspondent at Hendaye says the rebels assert that the Government troops killed COO rebel supporters before • evacuating Toledo, and also took 28,000,000 pesetas belonging to the banks and citizens. Ninety of the Government militiamen who were defending the Toledo Seminary surrendered after the building had been set afire, and all were immediately executed. Many other Government men hiding in basements and cellars were forced out and shot. Position Not Realised in Madrid. The Madrid correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" reports that with the insurgents thrusting toward Madrid, the indifference of the public appears remarkable. The streets yesterday were like those of an ordinary Sunday; the cinemas were open, the Philharmonic Orchestra played a Beethoven symphony, greyhounds raced, and the opening of a new palais de dance was advertised all over the city. The truth is that the inhabitants do not realise the seriousness of the' situation, as the newspapers do hot refer to the Government defeats. Moreover, the plan to raise 100,000 men by calling up the 1932-33 class of conscripts is certain to fail, as many of them sympathise with the insurgents. Both the northern and southern rebel armies,' says a British United Press correspondent at Toledo, which is now in rebel hands, are preparing for an immediate great "push" on Madrid, using five of the seven main roads to the capital.