FACED WITH DOOM

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12965, 14 September 1936, Page 5

FACED WITH DOOM

SAN SEBASTIAN IN A BAD WAY, MADRID CANNOT OFEIt HELP* ADVISED TO SURRENDER. «»(U.P.A* by Elec. Tel. Copyright). (Received Sept. 13, 5 p.m.). LONDON, Sept. 12. San Sebastian seems to be faced with doom. A message to Madrid imploring help has received a reply from the capital that it is unable to assist and suggesting surrender on terms. This has been followed by a report from Hcndaye that the loyalists were evacuating the town, following the d/jfcat of the Government militia, in tho Hernani and Oyarzun sectors, after which the foreign legion (Terzio) troops occupied Fort Santa Barbara, preparatory to endeavouring to enter tho town.

ONLY OUTPOST SKIRMISH. ALLEGED IMPORTANT BATTLE FOR MADRID . IS TIME WORKING FOR LOYALISTS? (U.P.A. by Eiec. Tel. Copyright). ( Received Sept. 13, 5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 12. An American Newspaper Alliance Copyright message from Toulon says that General Franco’s reported important battle for Madrid on the Tal vera front was merely an outpost skir mish preparatory to his junction with General Mola’s troops at Sierra Degredos. They only met mountain patrols. The rebels have on paper a quarter circle against Madrid from north to west, but to dispose only 20,C00 men on a 100-mile front in hos ti c territory against vastly superior numbers. Time works for the loyal isis who are daily adding knowledge of warfare tactics to fireco enthusiasm. A siege of Madrid from a mili tary point of view seems impossible.

CIVILIANS IN A PANIC. COMMANDER HOPEFUL. “CAN DEFEND OURSELVES FOR WEEKS,” U.P.A. by Elcc. Tc-1 Copyright).. ■(Received Sept .13. 1] p.m.). LONDON. Sept. 12. The situation is growing more tense hourly :'n San Sebastian, where the 48 hours' ultimatum to surrender expires on Sunday morning. It is be I‘eved the ultimatum will be disregarded. Colonel Ortega. Governor of San. Seshastian, said: “We can defend our selves for weeks” . The flight of panic-stricken civilians continues. When rebel planes dropped the ultimatum pamphlets, the militia endear oured to seize them all in the streets and prevent the population, reading them. The rebels arc shelling Hc-raani. fi ,: -' miles from San Sebastian. The women and children have been evacuated from Hernoni. The rebels claim further successes in the Talavcra region. Plane's are dropping pamphlets over Madrid, calling on the troops to surrender, otherwise the attack will not be long delayed. Typhoid is reported to bo serious in besieged Oviedo. Refugees state that 72 died in one day. The shelling and bombing by the Government forces continues. The expelled Timas photographer is Jack Barker. The Morning Post's special correspondent with the insurgents was given the choice of remaining at Burgos, where his messages will bo censored or of leaving Spain. He has decided to leave. LISBON, Sept. 12 The recent transfer of the Portuguese embassy to Alicante from Madrid, it is revealed, was due to the invasion of its offices by Government militia who demanded that the ambassador hand over documents. When he* refused th& militia forced its. way into the offices and set them on fire. A Spanish employee at tho embassy was arrested and it is understood, shot. LATEST NEWS FALL OF SAN SEBASTIAN CITY ENTIRELY' EVACUATED COMMANDER FLEES (IJ.I'. l. by Elec. Tel. Copyright). (Received Sept. 14, 1 a.m.) LONDON. Sept. 13. A small body of insurgents entered Sebastian at 6' a.m. unopposed. They came from Hcrnaiv.. A British. United Press message says that General Ortega fled at 1 a.m. The city is now entirely evacuated, except for Basque Nationalists, who are patrolling tlio streets. Anarchists set fire to six buildngs in tlie industrial quarter. The Basques are fighting tli ~ anarch ists* to prevent further incendiarism. The rough, element, looted tile shops In the fashionable quarter. Thousands of refugees gathered on the quays during the night waiting to be embarked in yachts and boats, which the loyalists had commandeered. Men, mostly of fighting age, pushed women and children aside, despite* tearful pleadings.