SPANISH STRIFE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 264, 6 October 1936, Page 7

SPANISH STRIFE

NON-INTERVENTION POLICY. ORIGIN RECALLED. LABOUR’S ATTITUDE. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received October G, 12.15 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 5. At the Labour Party conference ATr Arthur Greenwood reminded the delegates that the non-intervention policy in Spain was one for which the socialist head of the Front Populaire Government in France (M. Leon Blum) had admitted responsibility. The initiative came lrom At. Blum’s Government and received the support of Soviet Russia. It had become the united opinion of Europe, both socialist and non-idealist, said Air Greenwood, that non-intervention was the real way out of a very grave and serious situa.tion. The conference passed a resolution supporting non-intervention. CALM AT MADRID. “WHERE IGNORANCE IS BLISS.” LONDON, Oct. 4. The Daily Telegraph’s -Madrid correspondent reports: “With the insurgents thrusting toward Aladrid, the indifference of the public appears remarkable. The streets to-day looked as they do on an ordinary Sunday. Cinemas were open, the Philharmonic Orchestra played a Beethoven Symphony, and greyhounds raced at the opening of the new Palais de Danse, which was advertised throughout the city. “The truth is that the inhabitants do not realise the seriousness of the situation as the newspapers do not refer to Government defeats. Aloreover, the plan to raise 100,000 men by calling up the 1932-33 conscripts is certain to fail as many sympathise with the insurgents.” The Hcndaye correspondent of the Times says that the insurgents assert that Government troops killed GOO rebel supporters before evacuating Toledo, and also took 28,000,000 pesetas belonging to hanks and citizens. Ninety Government militiamen defending the Toledo seminary surrendered after the building had been set on fire. All were immediately executed. Many other Government troops hiding in basements and cellars were forced out and shot.

GENEVA DISCUSSION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Oct, 4. At Geneva to-da.v the Assembly of the League of Nations concluded a general discussion on tho SecretaryGeneral's report. The head of the Spanish delegation, the former leader of tlic Spanish Catholic Party (Senor Ossorio v Gallardo) intervened in the debate to make a solemn declaration in defence of the legitimacy of the Spanish Government.

INSURGENTS’ PROGRAMME.

A MILITARY DICTATORSHIP,

According to a report front Lisbon, the insurgent leaders in Spain have drawn up a programme for their future guidance which includes the dissolution of all trade unions and the suppression of the entire Press of the Left. The principal points in the programme are reported to be as follow : (!) Establishment of a military dictatorship and abolition of all Syndicalist and Communist organisations. The military dictatorship will be temporary in principle, but there will be no regular Parliament and the control of the Army will be continued indefinitely. (2) Trial of all the political leaders of the Left and dismissal of all national and municipal employees who have shown sympathy with the Left. (3) Prohibition of all strikes and lock-outs and repeal of. all legislation which gives “unjust rights” to the masses. (4) Dissolution of Parliament and suspension of the Constitution. (5) Setting up of a political council to advise the dictatorship. (6) Return of all recently confiscated property to its former owners. (7) Cancellation of the agricultural reform programme. _ (8) Suppression of the Socialist ana Communist Press and reform or abolition of all trade unions. (9) A possible plebiscite on the return of the monarchy. (10) Restoration of some of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy under the monarchy. . . . ~ (11) Close collaboration with countries which have shown sympathy towards the insurgents” and conclusion of trade agreements with them. F.aiiy cancellation of trade, treaties with “countries of the Left.

HUNGER THREAT.

FOOD POSITION OF MADRID

Hunger threatens Madrid and food may decide the capital’s fate. No milk, eggs, butter, or potatoes can be obtained, and there is little sugar or Long food queues are forming up. and there is a run on the shops for canned meat. Hoarding is regarded as the deadliest sin. General Franco’s advance threatens the railway by which food is brought to Madrid, but the Government has not yet organised an alternate supply route. It is feared that the most ot the remaining supplies will be seized for the militia. , , The pouring in of refugees and the rushing forward of reinforcements are aggravating the position.