COMMUNIST REVOLTS

Grey River Argus, 11 March 1939, Page 7

COMMUNIST REVOLTS

IN REPUBLICAN SPAIN

Against Madrid Council

FIGHTING CONTNUES.

[Aus & N.Z. Cable Assn.] MADRID, March 9.

Fighting is going on extensively throughout the city. Communist snipers from the roof-tops are keeping the civil population indoors. It is reported that Communist front-line battlions have been ordered to march on General Miaja’s forces.

The Communists have cut communications between Madrid and Valencia, to which groups of Communists are making their way. PARIS, March 9.

Telephone communication with Madrid is cut off. Broadcasts indicate that General Miaja has closed all the exits.

The Loyalists have been reinforced, as the result of an urgent wireless appeal, and are marching on the Communists’ front lines, which are being heavily bombed from the air. The rebels are holding out at Atoch Station and the Hotel National.

DEFENCE COUNCIL’S BROADCAST.

APPEAL TO MADRID CITIZENS.

’LONDON, March 9.

A Madrid broadcast says: Having exhausted #ll means of persuasion, the Defence Council vvas obliged in the last few hours, to use all arms and aircraft against the rebels. The Council trusts that citizens will not allow themselves to be impressed by the rebellion. Calm will he restored in a few hours.

Firing is audible, in the city and suburbs.

1400 COMMUNISTS

DEFENCE COUNCIL’S CLAIM

LISBON, March 9.

Latest broadcasts from Madrid report the surrender of two Communist companies, in the Barajos sector. The Loyalists are advancing victoriously. MADRID, March 9. A Defence Council broadcast, this evening, stated that the revolt had been crushed, and"'that all the provinces were supporting the Council. An entire army corps, normally in the Levant zone, but used on various fronts according to necessity, is now marching to Madrid. LATER. A radio message announces that 1400 rebels were taken prisoner, when the headquarters surrendered to-night. Only a few groups remain in revolt, and the number is decreasing hourly. ANOTHER RISING OF COMMUNISTS. (Independent Cable) BURGOS, March 9. It is reported that a rising . has broken out at Murcia, Guadalajara, and Almeria, and that it has obtained a firm hold. VALENCIA REVOLT. 1 19 COMMUNISTS SHOT. MADRID, March 9. The Defence Council’s troops and tanks are guarding Valencia, where many arrests have been made. Nineteen rebel leaders in Valencia have been shot. Franco Cheered — BY REPUBLICAN SUBMARINE CREW. (Received March 10, 9 p.m.). • PALMA, March 10. A Republican submarine has surrendered here, her crew cheering General Franco. Franco Prepares FOR ATTACK ON MADRID. BURGOS, March 9. The Nationalists have occupied certain Republican positions on Jhe Madrid front. It is believed that the chaos in the capital can only be ended by a Nationalist offensive, which is not likely to be long delayed. < The newspapers declare that eral Franco has no Intention of entering peace negotiations with General Miaja. HENDAYE, March 9. The Nationalists have closed the frontier to France. This is believed to be the prelude to an offensive. MADRID, March 9. Twenty-four of General Franco’s aeroplanes flew over the city, this afternoon. FRANCO’S BLOCKADE. OF REPUBLICAN SPAIN. BURGOS, March 9. General Franco is holding the Republicans in the iron grip of the naval blockade. The first twelve hours passed without incident, as General Franco’s submarines cruised over a wide radius from Cartagena, prepared to sink at sight any ship trying to penetrate the three-mile limit. SHIP RUNS BLOCKADE. LONDON, March 9. Despite a warning from, a British warship, the food-ship Stangate ran the blockade, and reached Valencia, from which she notified the Spanish i relief headquarters in London.

BRITISH VIEW OF BLOCKADE.

LONDON, March 9. Britain has not been notified officially of General Franco’s blockade. Official quarters express the opinion that the recognition of General Franco does not bestow belligerent rights, or the right of blockade. Sinking on sight, without warning, would amount to piracy. Although it is most likely that Britain will recognise General Franco’s blockade as legal, it is understood that; the Government at ’'resent has no intention of protesting, but is content to await develop-

ments. Meanwhile, British shipping will be discouraged from attempting to run the blockade, though outwardly they will be assured of full protection on the high seas, as heretofore. , , . Alluding, in the course of a debate in the Lords, to General Franco’s blockade order, Lord Halifax said: ‘I wish to make it plain, that if action outside territorial waters is taken, Britain will be obliged to resist such action, in the same manner as Britain has done in the past.” Lord Halifax, referring to the assurances regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops from Spain, said that he believed these would be honoured. "I say quite clearly that, if the contrary is the case, a very serious situation would arise.” > REPUBLICAN FLEET. TO BE HANDED OVER TO FRANCO. PARIS, March 9. A Nationalist broadcast from Burgos stated that the Republican warships at Bizerta will be handed over to the Nationalists, in accordance with international law. EX-KING ALFONSO. PARIS. March 9. Ex-King Alfonso is reported to have said: "I wish to be regarded as a simple soldier, under General Franco, for the reconstruction and re-awakening of Spain." DE RIVERA’S SON. PARIS, March 9. A message from Valencia states that the Republicans have freed from prison, Miguel Primo De Rivera, son of the former Spanish Dictator, who is now aboard a British destroyer. "LA PASIONARIA.” GOES TO FRANCE. PARIS, March 9. The Republican leader, Dolores Ibarruri (“La Pasionaria”) arrived this morning. The Government immediately notified her that she would not be allowed to stay in Paris, nor in the Seine Department. Colonel Lister was similarly notified. REFUGEES IN FRANCE. [British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, March 8. A .report by Major-General Sir John Kennedy, who is visiting refugee camps and hospitals in the Pyrenees as a personal representative of Sir Arthur Stanley, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the British Red Cross Society, has been brought to the notice of the British Government. In a tribute paid to the work done by France and the Red Cross Society, Sir John Kennedy emphasises the need for beds, blankets and linen, as well as more hospital accommodation, in view of the increasing number of refugees and the serious congestion. He is of the opinion that the best immediate help would be to dispatch a fully-equipped ( British hospital ship;