CIVIL WAR IN SPAIN

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 88, 9 November 1936, Page 3

CIVIL WAR IN SPAIN

MADRID URGED TO MAKE TERMS A TERRIBLE CLIMAX FEARED. LONDON, November 6. A dramatic eleventh hour appeal Io Madrid by France and Britain to come to terms with General Franco followed Mr Eden’s telephonic conversation with Paris. The ajjjteal was telephoned to Mr G. A. D. Ogilvie-Forbes, British Charge d’Affaires in Madrid for presentation to the Madrid authorities, but the Daily Mail says there is litle hopefulness in British Government circles that it will receive more attention than the previous appeal about the exchange of hostages. Nevertheless, Mr Eden has insisted on doing the utmost to prevent a possible terrible climax to the Spanish war. The Daily Mail says that with the insurgents only two miles from Madrid the British and French Governments have sent a new and urgent appeal to the Madrid Government, for an immediate arrangement with Franco to save the civil population of the capital from destruction. With shells bursting frequently and General Franco’s decisive attack expected momentarily, Madrid is witnessing frantic efforts to consolidate defences while thousands of refugees pour in from the suburbs occupied by the rebels. Madrid suffered three air raids' today. The Government forces claim to have brought down five rebel aeroplanes. An earlier message stated: While shells were falling on the capital the Spanish Government performed the feat of swapping horses in midstream, and recast the Cabinet to include four members of the National Confederation of Labour, thus strengthening the Left elements. The first act of the new Government was to issue an appeal to the people to fight to the end. The appeal declarers: “Madrid is now the battlefront. The enemy is at the gates seeking to satiate its hatred on the capital, but the attack can be reduced to impotence if all do their duty. ’ ’ Every able-bodied man is being transported to the front. A decisive battle is expected at any moment. The insurgents are so confident of victory that they have constituted a special police corps to ensure the maintenance of order in Madrid. Thousands poured into the streets of the capital to watch an exciting air battle, when two Government fighters attacked three rebel bombers and brought one down in flames. The advancing rebels have launched a terrific ! artillery bombardment from Getafe on Legancs and nearby villages. The rebels are now selecting gun emplacements and they threaten to shell the centre of the city.