SPANISH REVOLT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 144, 16 December 1930, Page 12

SPANISH REVOLT

REBELS SHELLED

GENERAL STRIKE IN FORCE

MANY CASUALTIES

United Press Association—By Electric 'Helf graph—Copyright. (Received 16th December; 2 p.m.) ■ LONDON, 15th December. Unofficial telegrams dealing with tl)9 Spanish revolt, chiefly from. the border1 towns, naturally exaggerate th» seriousness of the crisis. On. the- contrary, official messages claim that the revolution is already; practically crushed, that the general strike is sporadic, aud the populace is standing by the Government. The ascertained facts are that,, following up the disastrous Jaca rising, the firebrand, Franco, flew to Madrid, where ho raised the standard of revolt. To-day, at Cuentros Yinetos aerodrome, just outside the capital, the prelude to rebellion was manifested by six aeroplanes with red wings flying over Madrid in the early morning, dropping leaflets. When troops and workmen arrived at the aerodrome at 8 o'clock ia the morning they found 500 rebel officers and soldiers in occupation." They, announced that a republic had been declared aud they told tin1, troops and workers that they would be shot unless they joined tho revolution. Most of the men joined and hclrjed the rebels to f ore» the doors of tho power-house. They loaded lorries with bombs and ammunition, in readiness for an expected at> tack by loyalist troops from Madrid* Meanwhile, the mutineers seized the Government wireless station near the aerodrome and sent out messages announcing to tho world the proclamation of a republic EXCITEMENT IN MADRID. There was much excitement in Madrid, but the Government acted witli refreshing resolution and confidence* The Leon Infantry Regiment, numbering two thousand, quickly arrived outside the aerodrome with drawn bayonets. Machine and other gunners opened fire, dropping 105 shells into th» hangars so effectively that the_ rebel* realised the hopelessness of their position, raised the white flag, and surrendered, though a number of rebels dispersed over the countryside and were* pursued by Hussars. Meanwhile, the situation in Madrid is unexpectedly secure for the Government. No general strike has broken out in the city, Socialist leaders mostly, fearing arrest, but 200 suspects were quickly gaoled, including the leaders Maura and Zamora. Meanwhile Franco, General Llano, and Captain Eada had made an aii; survey of Madrid, but realising that there was no general rising or strike, flew off northwards, with Government machines in hot pursuit. General Berengucr states that no mercy will ba shown the rebel aviators, and the sentences of the military tribunal will bo carried' out inexorably. The situation in the provinces is far less satisfactory than ia the capital. The general strike is in full force ia many centres, particularly the fashionable seaside restort of San Sebastian* Here the extremists rushed the Government House after shooting two policemen and a cyclist who obstructed their progress. The civil guard was called out and dispersed the insurgents, kining several. The strike" however, in complete. Factories are closed and traffic paralysed. Twenty were killed iv street fighting at Hendays, iv , th<^ Franco-Spanish, border. No trams or taxis are operating, and mail services are generally suspended throughout Spain, postal workers re-, fusing to handle mails.