ATTACK ON MADRID

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1936, Page 6

ATTACK ON MADRID

REBEL ARMIES Take a Rest Before Push (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received October 11 at 7.30 p.m.) MADRID, October 10. The whole of Hie investing armies have been granted a full day’s rest before resuming the attack on Madrid. The rebels claim to have captured the city’s electric power station at the River Albcrche. CAPTURES BY INSURGENTS. MADRID, October 9. The insurgents have captured Siegeunza, 70 miles to the northwest of Madrid. Thus both flanks of the Guadarrama defences are now seriously threatened. The insurgents have-' also captured San Martin, on the Madrid to Avila main motor road. Its fall was ensured when General Varela seized Escalona Two hours were occupied in clearingEscalona at the bayonet’s point. Eveiy church was already destroyed. The Red Flag flew over the ruins of a convent chapel which had been converted into a fort. CAPITAL ISOLATED. LISBON, October 9. The insurgents claim to have isolated Madrid as the result of the destruction by air bombs of the AranjuezMadrid railway, the last comunication by rail to the outer world. They also forced the Government forces to retire from Viedo. The Government claims a success at Isushuiza, Basque Province. GOVERNMENT FORCES. HOLDING THEIR OWN. MADRID, October 11. It is claimed that Government forces are holding their own in the Navalperal, Cebreros and San Martin sectors, despite the fact that the insurgents have recently captured those towns. (Received October 11 at 7 p.m.) PARIS, October JI. Captain Manachem. a Government officer, says that, the number killed throughout Spain is approaching 425.000 (?). He added, with shrugging shoulders, that there were very few wounded. CURFEW AT MADRID. MADRID, October 9. The Government is enforcing a rigid 11 p.m., curfew from to-night. After that hour the capital will be plunged in darkness. Anyone found in the streets will be arrested. The curfew order is a precaution against possible air raids, but also ti reply to General Franco’s speech declaring that there were. 5000 Fascists in Madrid ready to assist the insurgents.

Russia’s Allegations

(Aus. & N Z. Cable Assn.)

(Received October 10 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 10. Following the non-intervention committee's meeting, an official communique was issued, which says: "There was general agreement that it was imperative in the general interest that alleged violations should be subjected to a most searching examination with the utmost possible speed." Signor Grandi energetically repudiated the allegations as against It.ily, declaring that they were entirely fantastic and devoid of any foundation. The communique adds: "Signor Grandi also very strongly protested against the Soviet’s methods and he informed the committee that the Italian Government declined to accept any responsibility in any results whieli might follow if the non-intervention agreement were annulled." The German and the Portuguese representatives made similar reservations. SPANISH GOVERNMENT CHARGE AGAINST ITALIANS. LONDON, October 10. The Spanish Government sent a Note to the British Foreign Office alleging that seven hundred Italian soldiers and two three-engined Italian aeroplanes assisted the Spanish insurgents who occupied Iviza, one of the .Balearic Islands, during the last week in September. The Italian Government describes this allegation as absolutely false, declaring that Italy had not one ship, aeroplane or man in the Balearic Islands. The Madrid Government also asserts that Italians were brought over from Majorca (in the Balearics) in a Spanish steamer, tho Ciudad Oepalmo, which had an Italian flag painted on its side. The London "Daily Herald’s” diplomatic correspondent says: The Spanish Government’s Note may be referred to the non-intervention committee. PARIS, October 9. M. Blum is reported to have assured Mr. Eden that France wfill adhere to non-intervention, but wants a jtriet inquiry into the Spanish charges.

Italy’s Reply to Russia

SOVIET VIOLATION OF AGREEMENT LONDON, October 10. At the non-intervention committee the Italian Ambassador, Signor Grandi declared that Italy has not violated the agreement. If any war material had been sent to Spain, it must have been sent before the agreement operated. The Soviet charges against Italy were baseless and fantastic. Signor Grandi, later, proceeded to counter charge the Soviet with violating the agreement. He cited three Russian ships which, he asserted carried aeroplanes and rifles to the Spanish Government forces. M. Kagan (Russia) retorted that these planes had not carried a single ounce of munitions, but had carried food.

Signor Grandi added that the Soviet must not seek to throw the responsibility upon others. If Russia annulled the agreement by its unilateral action, it alone would have to bear the mil responsibility for the consequences.