REBEL COUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 9

REBEL COUP

SPANISH MOROCCO PORTION OF THE ARMY POSITIONS OCCUPIED SERIOUSNESS OF CRISIS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 10, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 18 Despatches from Madrid state that a Government communique announces that part of the Army in Spanish Morocco has risen against the Republic, thus perpetrating a criminal act of rebellion against a legitimately constituted Power. The movement was exclusively limited to certain cities in the protectorate zone. Absolutely nobody in Spain joined in the "absurd scheme." On the contrary Spaniards

are unanimously indignant about the shameful act, which was frustrated from the outset. The Government says it is pleased

to announce that heroic groups of loyal elements are resisting sedition and defending the Republic. Senor Juan Moles, Minister of the Interior, in a broadcast speech said the rebels had seized the radio station at Ceuta, from which they were issuing false news purporting to come from the Government's station at Sevillo. This included a report that revolutionaries had occupied the Ministries in Madrid and seized Senor Moles and Senor Quiroga, Minister of War. On the contrary, all was quiet in Madrid. How the Outbreak Originated The Under-Secretary of the Interior announced that the Foreign Legion at Ceuta, supported bv native troops and other units whoso identity so far was not known, attacked loyal troops, civilians and aerodromes, but the movement was confined to Ceuta and Melilla. Troops, members of the Air Force and naval units were being mobilised to fight the rebels, who were still in possession of strategical points. Two Spanish cruisers and a seaplane have been sent to Melilla from Cartagena and Casablanca. It is reported from the border that the outbreak began when the Legionaries were jeered from the headquarters of the Socialists in Melilla, whereupon the Legionaries broke their ranks, entered the building and threw some of the occupants from the windows after a fierce hand-to-hand fight. Sensational French Reports Within an hour 2000 Spanish and Moorish troops in the neighbourhood of Melilla had revolted. The movement spread like wildfire to Ceuta, and fighting occurred also in the townships of Zoco, Jemis, Angera, Larache, Arzilla and Alksar. Spain is still cut off from the world, but news from her neighbours suggests that the Republic is encountering another serious crisis. According to French reports the revolutionaries number 20,000. They have occupied almost the whole of Spanish Morocco and seized many garrisons. Jt is reported that General San Jurgo, formerly commander of the Civil Guard and leader of the Seville revolt of 1932, heads the rebellion, which was arranged with three generals and other officers of the Civil Guard at the house of Senor Gil Robles. The aim was simultaneous risings in Morocco and the Canary Islands, from which the rebels intended to embark for Spain, where the troops were to join in. Violent Clashes at Melilla Senor Sotelo was to have become President, but his murder a week ago caused a premature outbreak, enabling the Government to have the ringleaders arrested. Tangier is isolated and mail boats from Algeciras and Ceuta are not running. In violent clashes at Melilla nine people were killed and many others injured. All Army officers above the rank of lieutenant in Labinaa have been arrested, also all Fascists at Lalinea and Algeciras. Trains from Spain to France are hours late owing to the police searching for alleged conspirators among the many who are fleeing owing to the unrest which is developing in North Spain, also at Pamplona, Valladolid and Sarngossa. Senor Moles, in another broadcast speech late to-night, said the Government was certain the rising would be restricted to the present small localities.

GOVERNMENT CONFIDENT FAITH IN ARMY'S LOYALTY REVOLUTIONARIES BOMBED (Received July .10, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 18 A message from Madrid states that the Spanish Government has issued a communique declaring that the Government is master of tho situation in Morocco and intends to maintain Republican institutions. It has full faith in the Army's loyalty. Other messages which have reached Paris from Spain declare that incidents occurred at Cuenca, DO miles from Madrid. The number of victims is not yet known. A broadcast picked up from Madrid stated that Army aircraft were bombing the rebels at Melilla and Ccuta. A delayed message from Madrid reports that parties of Moroccan rebels have landed on tho Spanish coast. CITIES INVOLVED CONFUSION AT CEUTA GENERAL STRIKE STARTED (Received July 10, 5.5 p.m.) GIBRALTAR, July IS Tho revolt in Spanish Morocco is reported to have affected several cities. Tho rebels have occupied tho military headquarters at Ceuta. The workers have declared a general strike, all the shops are closed and transport has ceased.