30 TUNES SHOWER BOMBS ON MADRID.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 7

30 TUNES SHOWER BOMBS ON MADRID.

0 WARNING GIVEN.

pilots Report Panic and Evacuation.

B IG PUSH COMMENCES. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 7. Insurgent aeroplanes dropped thousands of leaflets on Madrid, with an ultimatum that a terrific air attack •would be made if the capital did not surrender. \ few hours after the warning 4 leaflets lad been dropped, from the air insurgent aeroplanes heavily bombed the capital. A message from Burgos states that 30 machines were employed against the railway lines, aerodrome and barracks, pilots saw signs of panic and declare that evacuation has begun. The thrust towards Madrid has been facilitated by the capture of Fuenas lida, Portillo and Santa Cruz de Retamar.' The struggle for the last-named ■was very fierce and was preceded by intensive aerial action. Three hundred Loyalists were killed in the Retamar fighting. Navalperal is the next and last strong point between this front and Madrid. The battle for Navalperal continues with unabated fury. The rebels, in spite •, of heavy losses and repeated repulses, I continue to hurl themselves against deadly artillery fire. A fierce battle also continues at Oviedo, where the Loyalists are redoubling their efforts to capture the remaining strongholds in the city. Government supporters who were taken prisoner at Toledo are now helpin" to clear the ruins of the Alcazar (castle) and the adjoining streets. MOSCOW'S THREAT. TO FASCISTS OVER SPAIN. (Received 1.30 p.m.) MOSCOW, October 7. It is stated that Russia will leave the Kon-Intervention Committee unless violations by Portugal, Italy and Germany cease. FATE OF PRISONERS. DIPLOMATIC APPREHENSION. LONDON, October 7. Apprehension is felt, says the "Daily Telegraph" diplomatic correspondent, as to the fate of 7000 prisoners and hostages in Madrid. It appears from messages from members of the diplomatic corps that executions of both men and women are being carried out at a rate cf 50 to 60 a day. The fear is expressed that terror may be intensified as the danger to Madrid grows greater. Visits to the mortuary are now forbidden. This increases uncertainty as to the fate of the victims. Foreign diplomats are doing everything in their power to influence the Government to adopt more humane methods. The Soviet Ambassador offered, on behalf of the Russian Government, to take charge of all Spaniards wounded in fighting the insurgents and to send them to Russia for treatment. Senor Caballero, the Prime Minister, warmly thanked the Russian people for their new token of solidarity with the Spanish anti-Fascists. TROUBLE IN SPAIN. AUCKLAND WORKERS HELP. Two Auckland unions yesterday decided to make donations from their funds to supporters of the Spanish Government. The Auckland Tramway Employees' Union decided to forward the sum of £5 to the Loyalists in Spain, and the Auckland Carpenters and Joiners' Union agreed to donate the sum of £5 5/. A resolution passed at the latter meeting set out that the donation was to aid the Spanish workers in their fight for democracy and progress. "We realise that the struggle of the constitutionallyelected Spanish Labour Government is our struggle, and we call on our Government, together with the Imperial authorities, to accord it every support," added the resolution.