PLIGHT OF MADRID

Grey River Argus, 5 March 1937, Page 9

PLIGHT OF MADRID

GRAVE FOOD SHORTAGE Oviedo Likely to Fall (Aus & N.Z. Cable Assn.) MADRID,, March 3. Fierce fighting is in progress on the Jarama front. Bread is being rationed in Madrid, and the purchasers are restricted to ten ounces daily per person. OVIEDO SURROUNDED. MADRID, March 3. Fierce fighting 'is reported on the Oviedo front. Oviedo is reported to huve been surrounded by Government forces. GOVERNMENT CLAIM. TO HAVE ENTERED TOLEDO. (Received March 4, 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. It is elaimej that Spanish Govern, ment forces have crossed the River Tagus and have entered Toledo and seized a district near Alcazar. OVIEDO AND TALAVERA SURROUNDED. LONDON, March 4. It is claimed that Government forces have surrounded Oviedo and also Tala, ver a. Plight of Madrid APT TO FALL IF SURROUNDED. LONDON, March 4. The grave plight of Madrid, which is indicated by the broad rationing is emphasised by the “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent, who has sent an uncensired dispatch from Velancia, after visiting the capital. He says: “In Madrid the food position is tragic. I saw two serious riots. Both were caused owing to the bread shops selling out, after 250 persons had waited for eight hours. “The food is so pitifully scant that Madrid is bound to collapse from hun. ger if the insurgents surround it.” MEDIATION TALK. RUGBY, March 3. In reply to a Commons question re. garding the prospects for mediation in Spain, Mr Eden said: The question as to whether His Majesty’s Government can take any steps to provide a basis for negotiations between the contending parties is constantly being considered, in the light of developments. Up to the present, they have received no ( indication that either party is prepared to consider mediation of any nature. German Minister APPOINTED TO FRANCO’S GOVERNMENT. (Received March 4, 10 p.m.) SALAMANCA, March 3. General Faupel, the German Ambassador to General Franco’s Government, hasi presented his credentials. In doing so, he said that Herr Hitler follows General Franco’s struggle of liberation with warm sympathy.

Ex-King and Queen GOSSIP ABOUT CINEMA MEETING LONDON, March 3. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome cor. respondent reports that the audience of a fashionable Rome cinema was astonished tp see ex-King Alfonso and Queen Victoria Eugenie, who have been parted and estranged for many years, sitting together in the stalls. Ex-King Alfonso was looking extremely pleased. They arrived and departed separately, but the meeting is believed to be a prelude to reconciliation. Well-informed 1 quarters even suggest that when General Franco has taken Madrid, the ex-King and Queen may'be i'ivited to return to Spain.