TRAITOR HUNT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1936, Page 5

TRAITOR HUNT

MADRID CONCERN

MANY GOVERNMENT ARRESTS.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

MADRID, October 13,

Happy-go lucky Madrid, unaware until now of the military significance of General Franco’s purposeful thrust on the capital, has suddenly been brought face to face with, reality by a Government, drive against traitors within the city. Government investigators, in a series of swift raids yesterday, arrested 150 people. Madrid’s cinemas are still open; bands play in the parks; posters animuce the opening of a new palais de danse.

But suspicion has entered unis happy scene. and the cry is now heard, “Those who are not with us

are against us!” This ; sudden awakening follows the boast of the insurgent leaner, General Franco, that he has “a fifth column” in Madrid ready to rise when he attacks the city.

“Let ns- begin by annihilating this ‘fifth column’!” demanded tne Communists.

This attitude has started an investigation of the political past of nearly evervone.

Seventeen of the arrsted. people were examined, and four will be handed over for trial to the People’s Tribunal.

REBELS MAKE NO CONCESSION

FOR SURRENDER FOR MADRID

LONQN, October 14

The frontier correspondent of “Tho Times” says General Franco’s Salamanca headquarters deny that tne insurgents are negotiating with the Spanish Government for the surrender of Madrid.

It is explained that certain leaders of the Madrid Government have been in touch with the insurgent headquarters with a view to obtaining... concessions for the surrender of the .capital, .hut General Franco replied .tlqit..lie is not prepared to make any concession to the “reds.” Ho added that on entering Madrid he would bring justice with him. No ope would be persecuted, and the victors wold not- commit tbe crimes of which Madrid was guilty. Torrential rains, which have made the roads impassable, are still delaying the rebel advance on Madrid. The city in* the meantime continues feverish preparations for defence. Food rationing begins to-morrow. There was more fierce fighting at Oviedo, where the position, is onscore. The rebel wireless station claims that the town has been relieved, ' but the Government claims that the loyalists are still attacking. The miners, using dynamite, are advancing in spite of machine-gun fire from windows.

A later message says food rationing has begun. Each shopkeeper is required to enter on the purchaser’s Card the amount of any commodity bought daily. It is hoped to reduce and finally to abolish food queues. Anarchists threaten to exterminate 10.000 prisoners in the city’s gaols and dynamite the principal buildings. It is evident that General Franco’s entry cannot be resisted. Th e evacuation of women and children, is accelerating.

SOVIET RENEWS DEMAND

LONDON, October 14

M. "Maisky, the Soviet representative on the London committee for the application of the agreement on non-intervention in Spain, has returned from Moscow with fresh instructions to demand “immediate and firm action” against alleged violations of the non-intervention pact, but reports that the Soviet has again threatened to withdraw if satisfactory steps are not taken are neither confirmed nor denied.

NON-INTERVENTION COMMITTEE

(Received this day at 10.40 a.m.)

LONDON. October 14

Maisky and Kagan called at tho Foreign Office aud requested tin?' prompt convening of the non-interven-tion ‘committee to consider the new Russian note to prevent violation of agreement.