WAR IN SPAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1939, Page 5

WAR IN SPAIN

RECOGNITION / GIVES NO RIGHT TO BLOCKADE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). : (Received this;’day at 12 noon). . ../—..LONDON, March 9. I Britain was not notified officially of v v Franco’s bloclcade. , , i !i i ; ' ' (Official quarters express the opinion that the' recognition of Franco does not hestow belligerent rights—the right to blockade and the sinking on sight, without warning would mean piracy. ' COMMUNICATIONS CUT. MADRID, Match 9. (Received this day at 12 noon). Communists cut communications between Madrid, and Valencia, to which groups of Communists, are making. The Defence Council’s troops and tanks are , - guarding Valencia where many arrests v have been made. f FIGHTING IN MADRID. (Received-this day at 12 noon). • MADRID, March 9. I Fighting 'is going on‘.extensively throughout the city. Communist snip- •; ers from rooftops are keeping the civil- “ population indoors. It is reported that Communist front line battalions, have been ordered to march on General Miaja’s forces (com- , mander of Loyalist trcops at Madrid):

BLOCKADE ATTITUDE

(Independent Cable Service)

(Received this day at 10.50 a.m.) ;■ ’ ... LONDON, March 9

Although it is not unlikely that Britain will recognise Franco’s blockade as legal, it is understood the Govern- 1 ment has at present, no. intention of protesting, but is content to await developments, , Meanwhile, British shipping Avill be discouraged from attempting to run thfe blockade, though outwardly ■, they will be assured full protection on the high seas as heretofore.. , " COMMUNIST FIGHTING. /(Received this day at 10.10 a.m.). T ; ! LISBON, March 9.' •> Broadcasts from Madrid report the surrender of two Communist companies in Barajos sector, the-Loyalists advancing victoriously. V TELEPHONE CUT. (Received this day at 10.10 a.m.). .. ! PARIS, March 9. “

Telephone communication with Madrid i$ cut off. Broadcasts indicate that General Miaja has closed all exits. Loyalists ;were reinforced as a result of an urgent, wireless appeal, and are marching ok "the Communists front lines, which are being heavily bombed from the air..,

The rebels are holding out at Atoch Statibn and Hotel National. Nineteen rebel leaders in Valencia were shot. - ’• ■’/ ‘ “ ■ A Nationalist broadcast from Burgos stated Republican warships at Bizerta Avill be handed over to the Nationalists, in accordance with the international law.

. effect of blockade. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) / V V ! BURGOS, March 9. General Franco is holding the Republicans in an iron grip with the uaval blockade. The first twelve hours passed without incident, as Franco’s submarines cruised over a wide radius at prepared to > sink at sight, any. ship trying to penetrate the three mile limit. -; i < <y- ‘ (■ REPUBLICAN PORTS CLOSED. ' BURGOS, March 8. ' The Admiralty forbids ships of any nationality to enter the harbours between Adra arid • Sagunto, comprising the whole of the, Republican coast.

Submarines have been ordered to sink any vessels attempting to enter the ports. V ' ;