CIVILIANS TO GO?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1937, Page 9

CIVILIANS TO GO?

Compulsory Evacuation from

Madrid Possible.

BRITISH EMBASSY HIT. (Received 12.30 p.m.) MADRID, January 8. The civil Governor of the city foreshadows a decree to permit compulsory evacuation of the civil population. The Defence Committee admits that danger to the capital is more acute than ever. Although a vigorous resumption of the artillery bombardment preceded an infantry battle in north-west Madrid, defenders regard the situation as grave rather than desperate, the defenders having stemmed the rebel onslaught.

Three incendiary bombs fell 011 the British Embassy, slightly injuring a transport officer, Captain Edmund Lance, and an Englishwoman, Mrs. Xorris.

Police extinguished fires due to ex plosions.

A message from Barcelona says Government forces claim to have occupied the villages of Aracues and Yerta after hand-to-hand fighting 011 the Huesca front.

INDEMNITY DEMANDED.

BELGIAN BARON MURDERED. BRUSSELS, January 8. The Belgian Government has sent a Xote to the Loyalist- Government demanding official reparation for the murder of Baron de Borchgrave, first secretary at the Belgian Embassy, Madrid, who disappeared just before Christmas. His body was found 011 December 28 in a common grave with 21 others, the identity being established by a trousers tab. ~He had been shot twice in the neck. The Xote demands an indemnity of £6666 for the Baron's family and the return of the body to Belgium, with full military honours and an apology.