BRAVE WOMAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 4, 6 January 1938, Page 5

BRAVE WOMAN.

FACED FIRING LINE.

COURAGE SAVED HER LIFE,

A STORY FROM SPAIN.

A bouquet which a man handed to his Queen drove him into exile and caused his beautiful 27-year-old wife to face a firing squad twice.

Senor Ramon Batlles was the husband, and he told a reporter the story in London recently. For eight years he was official photographer to King Alfonso and Queen Victoria Eugenie in Barcelona.

A picture was taken of him presenting a bouquet to Queen Eugenie, when she was leaving his studio. This he put in his showcase.

"Afterwards," he said, "came the revolution, and the Reds took power.

"They saw the picture of me handing the bouquet to the Queen. That was enough for them. " ' I was instantly labelled 'Monarchist,' arid my life was in danger. Pleadings In Vain. "My wife begged me to fly from the country. She said it would cause less suspicion if she were to stay in Barcelona. as though nothing had happened. She assured me that the Reds would never harm a woman.

"I fled to England. A few days after I had gone, the Beds came to my studio. They said to my wife, 'Senor Rosina Batlles, your husband is a Mon-

archist, as this picture proves, and that is proof enough for us that you are one, too.'

"In vain she pleaded and told them she knew nothing of politics. They dragged her away and held her prisoner for twenty-six days at police headquarters in Barcelona.

"Then they took her out in a car on to a deserted road. The officer in charge lined up his fourteen men facing her and bade them get the machine guns in position. 'Talk,' he said, 'or I give the order to shoot.'

Did Not Flinch. "My wife did not flinch. Frail, delicate as a porcelain figure, she faced the fourteen men and their machine guns. 'I know nothing," she said, 'so I can tell you nothing.' "Even the heartless, cruel men were impressed with her bravery. The officer was ashamed. He ordered his men to put away their guns and my wife was driven back to police headquarters. "Two days later they threatened to shoot her again and once more she defied them. The police were so impressed by her bravery that they ordered her release. "An officer sent her flowers with a note saying he was ashars»cd of what he had done to a brave soman. "Mv wife was allowed to go to San Sebastian and soon she will join me in Lond»^