Rebels Charged With Atrocities

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1937, Page 6

Rebels Charged With Atrocities

CIVIL WAR

(Received 2.30 p.m.) PARIS. December 28. The Basque President, Signor Aguirre, said he had successfully appealed to Britain to use her influence to prevent the execution of 1000 Basques. The rebels had decided, he said, to stay the execution.

Signor Aguirre added, however, that insurgent atrocities continue without respite. Another 1000 had been sentenced to death. Executions in December total 147. Ten thousand prisoners are crowded in the Bilbao gaols.

Garotting is also prevalent. This barbarity was unknown in the Basque country until the rebels arrived.

General Franco, he declared, intended to reduce the Basque population, and plant colonies in other parts of Spain, because he knew he would never conquer the Basque spirit. Important Developments Soon. The insurgent authorities have banned the entry into France of all mails and parcels from Spain. The reason given is that developments of the greatest importance are expected soon. Republicans say the ban is due to trouble behind the rebel lines. The mail blockade particularly applies to Navarre, where Carlist troops have recently refused to go to the Aragon front.

As a Christmas gesture, General Franco commuted the death sentences of 25 Republican prisoners, including a Russian woman captured in trench fighting at Brunete, near Madrid, says a Salamanca despatch.