Rebels Express Confidence

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 173, 24 July 1936, Page 7

Rebels Express Confidence

APPALLING SCENES IN BARCELONA. ISSUE STILL DOUBTPUL. Received Friday, 2 a.m. MADRID, July 23. The civil war appears to be approaching a climax. The Government issued what is becoming a stereotyped daily claim to complete victory, but independent observers feel that the issue is still doubtful.

General Franco inspires unbounded confidence and supporters of the Right emphasise that he would never let himself revolt if uncertain of success.

The Government's position is stronger in southern Spain, where the auti-Catholic and anti-capital-ist feeling has long been bitter. The rebel generals appear to have rather more than half the regular army behind them, but the Government, with the majority of the air force and navy, have the advantage of artillery, which remained faithful even in the north, bombarding the rebels at various points along the coast, especially the key points, San Sebastian and Iran, where the rebels appear to be conducting a hopeless resistance. A Government summary of the situation claims that Seville is the only stronghold remaining in the hands of the rebels in the south. General Dellando has fled by air to Cadiz.

The Prime Minister declares that the situation is improving hourly and that the rebel forces in the north will he overcome to-day. Everything is normal in Madrid, though the atmosphere is very tense. Husca was surrounded following a heavy bombardment of the rebels. Saragossa received an ultimatum to surrender or he bombed.

Barcelona itself is quiet after appalling scenes of violence, the famous Cathedral being almost the only one spared. The streets in the Espana district are Uttered with the bodies of men and horses. The Catalonian Government claims to control the whole province. A message from Barcelona says that the rebels claim they still hold the provinces of Navirre, Sevedle, Leon, Saragossa and Valladolid,