Loyalists' Position Very Grave

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 64, 17 March 1938, Page 7

Loyalists' Position Very Grave

Germany Preparing Fresh Intervention BIG REBEL ADVANCES r 1 United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, March 16. The gravity of the loyalists’ situation in Spain becomes more and more obvious. The Spanish Embassy in London declares that Germany is preparing fresh intervention there, having despatched on March 14 30,000 Storm Troops, while reports from Hendaye assert that a large contingent of German wireless and aviation technicians has landed at Pasajere. The Embassy adds: "The Catalans are not seeking a separate peace nor has .the Spanish Ambassador in Palis asked M. Blum for help. The rebels are sweeping to the sea after occupying 2000 miles in six days, including lour towns and 60 villages, threatening to sunder Catalonia from the remainder of Spain, says a Saragossa dispatch. An important rebel success is tho capture of Caspe, 15 miles north of Alcaniz. The Italian command’s communique from Salamanca says that Italian legionaries occupied Alcaniz and Caspe and took the Calana hills surrounding Alcaniz, while another Italian column captured more villages, taking prisoner a French Army officer who is ihe loyalist Chief of the General Staff, says the Daily Telegraph’s Rome correspondent. Refugees going to France declare that street fighting is fea'red in Barcelona, where an atmosphere of panic prevails owing to mass arrests, says a Perpignan message. Four thousand prisoners were incarcerated in convict hulks in the harbour, including many Russians. A French destroyer and torpedo-boat have 500 refugees for Port Vendres, including several members of the Republican Government. Mont Alban is being savagely defended by miners, who are attempting to hold out against tho rebels. Tho town changed hands several times and is now the scene of bloody street fighting.

Strong Rebel Offensive INTENT ON REACHING SEA LONDON, March 16. The Daily Telegraph’s Barcelona correspondent says: “Th*» Republican Cabinet is meeting in a spirit of high tension. The Press demands strong measures to meet the Franco menace .ind urges that 100,000 men should be immediately mobilised to construct adequate fortifications. The commandeering of all motor vehicles for the transport of troops is demanded. ‘‘There is no comparison between this and previous rebel attacks. Formerly the nations supporting General Franco were restricted in supplies, but now ;hey are sending everything necessary :o win the war in a few weeks. The most modern air material is being used. Messerschmiat fighting planes are giving exceptional results. The Italian's previous tactics in Guadalajara are now more successful under General Bergonzoli, who participated in the earlier failure, but 60 miles are separating him from the coast-line across hills where sturdy resistance is expected.” ‘‘The Government has large reserves of trained troops who have not yet been in action, also emergency supplies.” The Daily Mail correspondent at Perpignan points out that the intention of the rebel forces on reaching the sea is to contact rebel forces at Majorca, where a landing army of 60,000 mon has been training for the past year, but there is no indication that they have left Majorca. The Times Madrid correspondent says that General Miaja’s command, extending from Somosierra to Toledo and from Escorial to Cuenta, holds a strong position with veteran troops, and he calmly awaits the part his force must play. The consequences of the Ebjo battle must be far-reaching, but General Miaja’s forces must be reckoned with. The Paris correspondent of the Times says that the success of General Franco’s drive aroused the greatest official concern, thrusting Austria into the background. M. Blum held a consultation to discuss the situation. The National Defence Council met, including General Gamelin. and discussed the pro tection of the Pyrenees frontier, but r.o communique was issued. The Government desires to promote an armistice, but General Franco is not likely to consent to it. Therefore France must choose between the virtual certainty of another hostile frontier and direct intervention. The Daily Telegraph Paris correspondent says that the Spanish loyalist situation is regarded as desperate, their reverse being regarded solely due to t.ho recent flooding of German and Italian -reinforcements. GERMAN DENIAL STORM TROOPERS NOT SENT Received Wednesday, 7.5 p.m. BERLIN, March 16. Official circles categorically deny that storm troopers have been sent to Spftin. BRITISH STEAMER BOMBED TWO KILLED; ONE DYING BARCELONA, March 15. The British steamer Stanwell was bombed and set on fire at Tarragona. A fireman was killed and several of the crew and a Danish non-intervention control officer were wounded. The Stanwell carried a cargo of coal. A later message says a second member of the Stanwell’s crew succumbed. The Danish observer, Mathsen, is dying, and the four seamen who were injured are progressing. Captain Davies was slightly injured. A guard shot down an insurgent •••-

will be compiled by the department. plane from Majorca as it swooped and machine-gunned a tramp between Vinaroz and Uldecona. The crew of fiv# Germans was killed. FRANCE’S AID SOUGHT Received Wednesday, 7 p.m. FARIS, March 16. The {Spanish Ambassador visited MM. Blum and Boncur. It is understood they stated that Catalonia contemplates proclaiming herself an independent ►State and requests the assistance of France if General Franco reaches the Catalonian border. France replied that she would con tinue non-intervention as long as othei Powers abstain from direct interven tion. LOYALISTS LOOSE SIX DIVISIONS ITALIANS ADVANCE 62 MILES Received Wednesday, 10.30 p.m. BARCELONA, March 16. The Italians claim an advance of 62 miles in six days across hostile, rough and waterless country, capturing artillery, machine-guns and stores and repulsing attacks. On the Montril sector of the Granada fnont they brought down seven loyalist machines. Loyalist losses during the rebel advance are claimed to be six divisions. Franco’s offensive has carried him half way to the Mediterranean from his original lines.