LOYALIST DRIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 301, 20 December 1937, Page 7

LOYALIST DRIVE.

ARMY CONFIDENT. I Rebel Trenches Penetrated at Teruel. ULTIMATUM TO INSURGENTS. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, December 19. A Barcelona message states that the Spanish Government forces claim to have completely surrounded Teruel and to have issued an ultimatum to the civilian population to leave immediately. The Loyalists also demand that the rebel combatants lay down their arms. The Barcelona correspondent of "The! Times," in an earlier message, stated that 200 insurgent prisoners, guns and material were captured, and . many killed, in the Republican offensive at Teruel. The fact that the Republicans are attacking is an important indication of the confidence felt by the army. The Salamanca correspondent of "The Times" states that the Loyalists attacked the lines at Teruel, where \liev were most lightly held. They penetrated to a certain depth then lost contact with their own rear. Reserves have been brought up to attempt to rescue the advanced troops. A report from Barcelona says the Loyalists completely surrounded Teruel City and captured insurgent trenches in a cemetery on the city's outskirts. A message from Madrid says that an insurgent shell killed 14 children and three old men in the street, and injured 32 people. INSURGENT CLAIM. LOYALISTS DRIVEN BACK. (Received 1.30 p.m.) SALAMANCA, December 19. The rebels claim recovery of the initiative on the Teruel front. They assert that 'planes inflicted heavy losses on the Loyalist infantry. Counterattacking they drove back the defenders in a battle fought in 10 degrees below zero and amid a raging snowstorm. Earlier Loyalist successes included occupation of the key fortress of Lamuela, whose garrison abandoned it, half of them fleeing to Teruel. The remainder were annihilated. FRONTIER REOPENED. SERVICES FROM PORTUGAL. (Received 2 p.m.) LISBON, December 19. The Portuguese-Spanish frontier was reopened yesterday. Passenger and goods railway services have been reestablished.