"STATE OF WAR."

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 47, 24 January 1939, Page 7

"STATE OF WAR."

IN LOYALIST TERRITORY.

BARCELONA BOMBED

LONDON. Jan. 23

Barcelona reports that Cabinet, after an all-night sitting, declared “a state of war” throughout Republican territory. It appointed a commission to organise the evacuation of civilians affected by fortifications and defence works.

Official statements claim that the Loyalists have halted the rebel advance on the Lorirfa Road at Castelloli, where it climbs a steep pass, inflicting heavy losses on Italian shock troops. The Loyalists have also defeated' attempts at an advance from Sitges. The rebels have thrice bombed Barcelona from the air since midnight. Most of the bombs fell in the water in the port area. There were continuous bombing raids on Barcelona and its environs yesterday. Two British ships, the Dover Abbey and tlio Seabank Spray, were bit during eight air raids between 10.30 o’clock and midnight. Casulaties in the air fighting were six rebel ’planes and one Loyalist. Crowds in the streets, disdaining shelter, gazed upward at the sky and cursed or applauded the varying fortunes of the airmen. Others prayed as the raiders swept overhead., but there was no panic. _ Yesterday’s air raids killed 27, including six Greek members of the crew of the' African Mariner, and wounded 67. The Foreign Ministry has issued a statement saying that the Government is remaining at Barcelona and denying the rumoured flight to Valencia or Gerom.