SPANISH CAPITAL A BLAZING INFERNO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 274, 18 November 1936, Page 7

SPANISH CAPITAL A BLAZING INFERNO.

PEOPLE /JV PANIC. Churches and Hospitals Go Up in Flames. bitter fighting continues. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, November 17. , A succession of explosions of air bombs joined to the unabated roar of General Franco's battering trains increased the deafening inferno as dawn broke over Madrid, where smoke from blazing buildings is visible for mliles. Civilians are hastening, panic-stricken, to north-eastern suburbs, which the insurgents have announced would be" regarded as a refuge area. Meanwhile, firemen are fighting the flames, particularly at the Provincial and San Carlo hospitals. San Jeronimo el Real, where ex-King Alfonso married Queen Ena, is among the churches set on fire, compelling the flight of those who took refuge there. It was built in 1503, and heirs to the Throne took the oath of accession in it. The invaders of University City, despite counter-attacks, hold their ground. Meanwhile, General Franco, realising the costliness of too hasty an advance, lias ordered a slower and more systematic movement. It was stated in previous messages that rebel airmen dropped aerial torpedoes and incendiary bombs on several quarters of Madrid last night, killing and injuring a large number of people and setting fire to two hospitals. ' Two churches, including the Church of the Trinity, where Cervantes, famous author of "Don Quixote," was buried, are also in flames. Several houses have been cut ill two. A big timber yard owned by a Belgian company and a building near the French Embassy are blazing fiercely.

CHURCH APPEAL. IN NAME OF CHRISTIANITY. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, November'l7. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Upsala, Sweden, Professor Lamont, the Rev. M. E. Aubrey, secretary of the Baptist Union, and Dr. Boegna, head of the French Protestant Federation, have appealed to tjie Spanish leaders, in the name of Christianity, to cease reprisals, spare prisoners, and protect women and children. Mr. J. McGovern, M.P., Independent Labour party secretary, and Mr. _ MeNair have gone to Spain to investigate the situation.