Loyalists Closer To Objectives

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1939, Page 5

Loyalists Closer To Objectives

(Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 9. “Whoever keeps up the pace longest will win,” says the Hendaye correspondent of “The. Times,” summing-up the critical stage in the Spanish war. The focal point of the war at present is the Loyalists’ surprise offensive on the Estremadura front, attempting to sever the main Rebel communications between Seville and Burgos. It appears that the Loyalists’ threeday offensive has been temporarily more successful than General Franco’s 12-day drive in Catalonia. The “News Chronicle” points out that the Loyalists, are 30 miles from their objective, which is closer than General Franco is to his objective. • General Franco has issued a decree calling.up boys aged 18 for military service, says an Independent Cable Service message. Loyalist Defence Crumples. The Hendaye correspondent of “The Times” says that, though General Franco’s offensive seems to have slackened, it is incontestable that the Loyalist Segre front has collapsed. Aragonese, advancing from Balaguer, smashed strong points in the Loyalist defensive and took 14 villages in one day, while the southern advance further jeopardises Mont Blanc, compelling the construction of the Loyalist defences of Tortosa. A message from Barcelona says six were- killed and 12 wounded in a bombing raid. Rescuers are seeking additional victims in the extensive ruins .