REPLY TO REBELS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22308, 24 January 1938, Page 11

REPLY TO REBELS

LOYALIST AIR RAIDS ATTACK ON CIVIL POPULATION REASONS FOR ACTION AT SALAMANCA (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION*—COrYHIGUT.) (Received January 23, 9 p.m.) BARCELONA, January 22. In pointing out that they had warned the insurgents months ago that air raids on open cities would provoke retaliation, an official Note explaining the Government's decision to retaliate states, "While our air force is engaged solely in military operations at Teruel, and in other zones for reconnaissance, the rebels have dedicated a large proportion of their swift bombers to civil aggression. Not a single day passes without victims of their attacks, which culminated in the raid on Reus, in which a number of people totally removed from military activities w.cre killed. The Government therefore ordered the raid on Salamanca, from which city the orders were dictated for the aerial massacres by the foreign powers helping General Franco."'

In retaliation to the rebel slaughter of civilians in the air raids on Barcelona, Valencia, and other coastal towns, Loyalist aeroplanes heavily bombed the nationalist headquarters at Salamanca, causing much damage. The British Agent (Sir Robert Hodgson) and his staff had narrow escapes. The Spanish casualties included nine dead and 20 wounded. One bomb wrecked a cafe, killing four cleaners. Another hit an infant school conducted by nuns, but 200 children escaped. A whole workingclass street was wiped out, and four persons were killed, including two bedridden people. Business was normal within half an hour.

A message from Saint Jean de Luz slates that the rebels rounded up 536 Government militia on the Turin river, who had lost their way, and were starving. They also captured a quantity of munitions and rifles at Alfambra, which lias also fallen into their hands, enabling ihem to dominate Teruel on three sides. BOMBING ATTACKS , INCREASE

MANY DEATHS AT VALENCIA AND BARCELONA (Received January 23, 8 p.m.) VALENCIA, January 22. There has been an intensification of air bombings in many areas. Valencia was again bombed, with more than 20 casualties. The insurgents bombed San Feliu de Guixols, killing 20 persons in the town hall, which was wrecked. There were many deaths elsewhere. It is officially stated that yesterday's bombing resulted in 40 persons being killed. Official figures show that 224 were killed and 610 injured in air raids at Barcelona since January 1. Three bombers raided Castellon, killing seven persons and wounding 50. The insurgents are continuing the attack on the Republicans at Teruel. The American battalion wiped out a squadron of Moorish cavalry. It is reported from Salamanca that 20 Government aeroplanes dropped 45 bombs on Salamanca. Eleven persons were killed and 41 injured. It is claimed that aircraft inflicted 3000 casualties when 37 aeroplanes bombed 100 Government troop lorries on the Huesca front. ENGLISH SAILORS KILLED

SHIP BOMBED BY REBELS SEVEN DEAD AND SEVEN INJURED BARCELONA, January 21. Seven English sailors were killed when the British ship Thorpeness was bombed by three Spanish rebel aeroplanes which were attacking Tarragona. Seven other men were sent to hospital, two being seriously injured. The Thorpeness was not directly hit, but bombs exploded round the ship, shattering the bridge and damaging the engine-room. The members of the crew were mostly men from Grimsby. The skipper, Captain Roberts, was not hurt. NONINTERVENTION COMMITTEE

SUBMITTING REPLIES TO NATIONS (BRITISH OFFICIAL 'WIRBLKSS.) (Received January 23, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, January 21. The Non-intervention Sub-Com-mittee met to-day and had before it draft replies to the Notes addressed by the Spanish parties to the International Committee in November. It was agreed that the draft replies should be transmitted to the various Governments with a request for.instructions at the earliest possible moment.

The sub-committee adjourned till next week» . .

HEAVY FIGHTING AT TERUEL

CONCENTRATION OF FORCES BY REBELS

BARCELONA, January 21. The heaviest fighting yet experienced on the Teruel front is admitted in a Government communique, which points out that the insurgents, striving to retake Teruel, have accumulated more forces and war material than have been concentrated on any front during the war.

More than 100 aeroplanes participated in an air battle yesterday. The communique admits that the rebels have advanced, but at the cost of enormous losses.

SUBMARINE ATTACKS DESTROYER

INVESTIGATION BY PATROL

MALTA, January 21. A British steamer sent a wireless message that a submarine had been .seen attacking a destroyer in the western Mediterranean. French patrols are investigating.