SPANISH REVOLT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 254, 23 July 1936, Page 9

SPANISH REVOLT

Conflicting Accounts of Position SOME REBEL GAINS Government Seeks French Aid in Morocco By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright. (Received July 22, 9.55 p.m.) London, July 21. Claims and counter-claims of victories and defeats continue to issue from Spain, but despite the Government’s assurances that it is rapidly gaining control the rebels gained important successes on Tuesday, and indications are that a big battle is looming. Rebels marching from Pamplona occupied San Sebastian after fierce fighting. Hospitals and nursing homes have been requisitioned, indicating heavy casualties. The rebels are now continuing to advance toward Bilbao. Some rebel forces 15 miles north of Madrid have surrendered. Another rebel army is reported to be threatening Madrid from Segovia, while others are aiming a blow at the capital from Saragossa. A large force of troops and armed peasants is advancing to Saragossa from Madrid, and a battle appears imminent on the mountain roads. . Armoured cars are still patrolling the streets of Madrid, and there is a general air of unrest, but otherwise life is normal and shops are open. Numbers of girls and women who have joined the hastily-formed militia at Madrid patrolled the streets with rifles and revolvers, and participated in the rounding up of rebels, a number being killed or wounded. A large number of British tourists who arrived at Hendaye from San Sebastian stated that the city was machine-gunned from the air.

Spaniards’ Visit to France. Speculation has been aroused by the arrival at Le Bourget (France) by air of two Spanish air officials armed with diplomatic passports. They are Commandant Velerta de la Quintana, chief of the Spanish civil air service, and Commandant Juan y Avola. The plane took off from Bordeaux. The “News Chronicle” says that the officers were bearers of a request from the Spanish Government for French assistance against the militarists in Morocco. The message followed an announcement from Madrid that loyalists had fought two pitched battles against the rebels outside the capital yesterday, in which the troops of the Popular Front and armed citizens participated. It is claimed that the Government troops had successes, but the situation is obviously very grave. The Government broadcast in English to the British Empire and the United States saying that the danger of a military dictatorship may be considered over.

A Government communique states that it is estimated that 500 were killed and 3000 wounded in the fighting at Barcelona. The Communist newspaper “Mundo Obrero” says that 116 rebel officers, and 200 other ranks were found dead when the Montana barracks were captured. Spanish frontier guards at Hendaye joined the rebels. A later message states that shooting has been resumed in the streets of Madrid in the Castellana district, with tremendous bursts of rifle and pistol fire. The Government claims that Seville has surrendered. Refugees at Gibraltar. Gibraltar is so crowded with refugees from Spain that some of the food supplies are giving out. The Government has given instructions that only British 'citizens or Spaniards working at Gibraltar will henceforth be admitted. Pathetic scenes have been witnessed on the neutral ground between Gibralton and La Linea. which is crowded with women and children. The military authorities have placedbarbed wire on the frontier and firemen are ready with hydrants to repel a rush by the Spaniards. Salvation Army and other volunteers will supply food to the refugees. Fighting is going on near the frontier and it is reported that 90 were killed at La Linea on Tuesday. A message from Gibraltar states that the commander of the British destroyer Shamrock wirelessed that Malaga is in complete control of the Government. On her arrival at Gibraltar H.M S. Shamrock, which brought refugees from Malaga, reported that the town was ablaze and that the principal street, called Larios, was partly destroyed. The Spanish cruisers Cervantes and Liberatad steamed into the bay at Gibraltar late yesterday and turned searchlights on La Linea. It is believed they intend to demand the surrender of the rebels at La Linea and Algerciras within a limited time. Position in Morocco.

The rebels have maintained their hold in Spanish Morocco, but Government warships shelled Melilla and Ceuta. The results are not known. Twelve Government warships at Tangier, it was believed, intended to shell Algeciras and Cadiz as soon as the battleship Jaime I arrives. The crew of the Jaime I overpowered their officers, who declared for the rebels, and sent a radio message asking what to do with them. They were told to throw their bodies overboard. The ship then proceeded to Tangier, where nine warships loyal to the Government are concentrated. A Tangier message states that when the Jaime I arrived she was immediately bombed by four aeroplanes. The ship was not hit and replied with qulekfiring guns. The British destroyer Whitehall shifted her berth hurriedly.

STILL AWAITED Expected Decisive Battle (Received July 23, 1.5 a.m.) Madrid, July 22. The threatened battle between rebel and loyalist forces has not yet been joined. The Government claims that it is patrolling the bulk of MadridBurgos road, and that there are no signs of the enemy. But there seems no doubt that most of the country from the French frontier to Saragossa and Burgos is dominated by the rebels, whose moral is reported to be excellent. Heavy fighting occurred at Barcelona. A decisive battle will probably take place in the Sierras about 60 miles north of Madrid. The situation in southern Spain is confused, both sides continuing to

claim victory. Madrid airmen are itching to bomb the rebels at Toledo and Segovia, but, as they occupy historic buildings which the Government does not wish to harm, efforts are being made to Induce them to surrender. General Dellando has proclaimed a military dictatorship throughout Spain in the name of General Franco, leader of the rebels, and threatens pitilessly to punish opponents. Madrid continues calm. Thirty-one planes bombed Caserne, forcing the leaders of the rebels to surrender.

MADRID CLEARED OF REBELS Government Declaration (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 21. Madrid Press telegrams to-night report an official Government declaration that the whole of Madrid and the surrounding areas have been cleared of rebels and are now in the possession of the Spanish Government forces. Conflicting reports from Government and insurgent sources during the day leave the general position obscure, but widespread disturbance prevails and measures for safety of British nationals are being supplemented where necessary, In addition to the British warships now at Vigo, Malaga, and Tangier, H.M.S. Witch Is proceeding to Ferrol and H.M.S. Wren to Corunna The Admiralty announced this evening that the rear-admiral commanding the first cruiser squadron has been instructed to send one cruiser to Barcelona and one cruiser to Palma. The cruiser Amphion, which sailed to-day to join the Africa station, has been ordered to go to Teneriffe.

AMERICA SENDING WARSHIPS Precautionary Measure (Received July 22, 9.10 p.m.) Washington, July 22. The United States warships Oklahoma and Quincy have been ordered to Spanish waters to protect the 1500 American nationals in Spain and evacuate them from the country if necessary. The State Department described the move as purely precautionary, as up to the present all Americans are reported eafe>