ATTACK ON MADRID

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4953, 9 February 1937, Page 2

ATTACK ON MADRID

0 CATHOLIC CONDEMNATION. ABHORRENCE OF BOMBARDMENT London, January 17. Abhorrence of the bombardment of Madrid is expressed in a manifesto to their fellow churchmen throughout the world which has been drawn up by prominent Spanish Catholics. The appeal declares: — “It is difficult at the present time for reason to maintain control over emotion, for such are the horrors of the civil war which is being waged on the soil of our country that even the coolest minds are unable to master their pain, bitterness and indignation. A terrible responsibility rests on those who have launched this fratricidal conflict in defiance of all dictates of conscience and requirement of law.

Injustice and Cruelty. “We, Christians, of different social standing, divided maybe by our varying political opinions as well, but united by the spiritual bond of a common faith in the ordinances of God, have decided to raise our voice in all modesty against all these acts of injustice and cruelty. “Each day new crimes are committed, from hour to hour the black clouds of war gather over our heads. “Is it possible that in the twentieth century ,of the Christian era there can be men, calling themselves Catholics, who thus forget their most elementary duty? “We do not intend even to express our opinion on the brutality of a civil war in which the most elementary rules regarding the safety of the civil population in time of war are being violated. “Influenced solely by principles of Christian ethics, we protest, with the whole strength of our convictions,

against an act so detestable as the daily repeated bombardment of our dear Madrid, capital of the Spanish Republic. Martyr Among Cities. “The proud city of Oviedo has been rightly given the sad and bloody name of ‘Martyr among all cities,’ but by what name then can Madrid be called, ravaged as she is by foreign bombs, encircled by a colonial army, struck to the heart by the massacre of her women and children? “Churches and hospitals, schools and factories, whole districts miles away from the front have been pitilessly razed to the ground, and have buried under their ruins hundreds of innocent victims. . . . “We therefore raise our voice, before God and generations to come, to express to all the Powers of the world our horror at these crimes. We are fully persuaded that all men of good will are on our side.”