INSURGENTS’ SUCCESS

Evening Star, Issue 22681, 22 June 1937, Page 9

INSURGENTS’ SUCCESS

THE WAR IN NORTH SPAIN PRESSING ON TO SANTANDER REFUGEES RETURNING TO BILBAO Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Juno 20. Following their entrance into the city of Bilbao the insurgents are pressing* in pursuit along the BilbaoSantander road, and an offensive against Santander is already being prepared. General Valino has announced his intention of attacking Mount Barcaldo, where there are many iron mines. He hopes to throw the loyalists out at Sestayo and Portugalete, on the west bank of the river. DEFENDERS OF MADRID “ WILL DIE TO THE LAST MAN.” LONDON, June 21, The Madrid correspondent of the * Daily Telegraph ’ states that the news of the fall of Bilbao only stimulated the defenders of Madrid, who declare themselves determined to die to the last man. Senor del Vayo, speaking at Albacete, said that no attempt at mediation would be tolerated. Any Spanish Government which considered it would not last 24 hours. The struggle would be long, but if the non-Spanish fighters were removed from the combat it would not last a month. FRANCO TO MUSSOLINI ENTHUSIASTIC GREETINGS. LONDON, June 20. The Rome correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that General Franco sent a telegram of enthusiastic greetings to Signor Mussolini. BASQUE CHILDREN'S REGRET LONDON, June 21. A deputation of 50 Basque children, with a 14-year-old boy as spokesman, waited on Mr Henry Brinton, superintendent of the camp, saying: “We come to express the’ sorrow of the Basque children for all the trouble we caused last evening. Wo are grateful to the English. We recognise that they are our best friends, and we shall never offend again.” A subsequent deputation proffered a letter addressed to the Prime Minister “or whoever is most in command, to send-a great big ship like those w T e saw when we came to England to protect our mothers, sisters, grandparents, the sick, and the aged, so that all non-combatants can leave Bilbao.without danger to their lives.” The letter was signed by five girls and four boys, whose ages ranged from seven to 15. The children acted entirely on their own initiative. CURT ANNOUNCEMENT MADRID, June 21. (Received June 22, at 10 a.m.) The fall of Bilbao was announced in a enrt communique which merely said: “ The Basques have fallen back in good order to positions westward.” . = - LOYALIST REGULAR ARMY STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. VALENCIA, June 21. -(Received June 22, at 10 a.m.) Senor Negrin (Prime Minister) told diplomats at a recent meeting, that Spain would shortly have a regular army four times the size claimed for the insurgents, including their Moors, Italians, and Germans. The Barcelona war factories had immensely increased production. ACCIDENT TO H.M.S. HUNTER QUESTION IN COMMONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 21, ■ (Received June 22, at noon.) Answering a House of Commons question, Mr Eden said no reply had yet been received from the Spanish insurgents to the protest made by the British Government regarding the mining of H.M.S. Hunter. Steps were being taken t'o expedite a reply. Mr Eden, answering another question, said he had good reason to believe that the aircraft employed by the insurgent forces in the recent attacks on Bilbao included three main types of service aircraft bombers, reconnaissance planes, and fighters. Mr Ederi added that information received tended to show that these aircraft were of types of Italian and German manufacture in each category. RETURN OF IRISH BRIGADE NINE MEMBERS ARRESTED. LONDON, June 21. (Received June 22, at 11 a.m.) While the Mocambiquc, which was conveying General O’Duffy’s Irish Brigade, berthed at Dublin Quay, crowds sang ‘ Faith of Our Fathers,’ after which the police arrested nine members of the contingent for unlawful possession of arms.

HCH-iHTERVEtmON COMMITTEE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Juno 21. (Received June 22, at noon.) The Non-intervention Committee will discuss this afternoon the withdrawal from Spain of foreign volunteers and the suggestion that neutral observers should bo carried on vessels of the four patrolling naval Powers.