MADRID MENACED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22544, 8 October 1936, Page 11

MADRID MENACED

REBEL OFFENSIVE BATTLES IN ENVIRONS EARLY ADVANCE EXPECTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 7. 0.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 6 Despatches from Spain state that although no advance has been made by the rebels, General Franco's troops have begun a push toward Madrid by an aerial attack, lasting the whole day, in the Santa Cruz del Itatemar sector. ! Bombs were showered along an eight-mile front. An early advance is expected. The battle for Navnlperal continues with unabated fury. The rebels, in spite of heavy losses and repeated repulses, continue to liurl themselves against deadly artillery fire. A fierce battle also continues at Oviedo, where the loyalists are redoubling their efforts to capture the remaining strongholds in the city. Government supporters who were taken prisoner at Toledo are now helping to clear the ruins of the Alcazar (castle) and the adjoining streets. harlier messages stated:—Heavy fighting in Oviedo is reported. Miners numbering 15.000 are flinging bombs and dynamite sticks against rebels who are holding the centre of the town from the heights dominating the streets whence they pour a withering fire from machine-gun nests. The insurgents claim that they have repulsed the attacks. Another message from Madrid stated that the insurgents for three days have attacked the key position at Navalperal, 40 miles north-west of Madrid. It is reported that the rebels were repulsed.

Santa Cruz del Ratemar lies about 40 miles south-west of Madrid on the road to lalavera. Hie action at Navalperal is taking place on the Avila road in the hills just beyond the Palace of the Escurial, the burial place of the Kings of Spain.

RUSSIAN GESTURE CARE OF ALL WOUNDED OFFER TO GOVERNMENT (Received October S. 1.15 a.m.) MADRID, Oct. 0 The Soviet Ambassador offered, on behalf of the Russian Government, to take charge of all Spaniards wounded in fighting the insurgents and to send them to Russia for treatment. Senor Caballero, the Prime Minister, warmly thanked the Russian people for their new token of solidarity with the Spanish anti-Fascists.

FEAR FOR PRISONERS HOSTAGES HELD IN MADRID TALES OF DAILY EXECUTIONS (Received October 7, 6.15 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 6 The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that apprehension is felt as to the fate of 7000 prisoners and hostages held in Madrid. It appears from messages from members of the corps that executions of both men and women are being carried out at a rate of 50 to 60 a day. The fear is expressed that terror maj be intensified as the danger of Madrid grows creator.

Visits to the mortuary are now forbidden. This increases the uncertainty as to the fate of the victims.

The foreign diplomats are doing everything in their power to influence the Government to adopt more humane methods. CESSION OF TERRITORY REBELS' REPORTED OFFER GENERAL FRANCO'S DENIAL PARIS, Oct. 6 The Caceres correspondent of L'Echo do Paris says he interviewed General Franco, leader of the rebels, who described as madness reports that the insurgents proposed to cede portions of Spanish territory to foreign countries in return for their assistance.

A recent cablegram from London stated: —Rumours persist that General Franco has signed secret treaties with Italy and Germany, agreeing to cede territories in return for their assistance. The Prime Minister, Senor Caballero, asserts that the rebels have promised Italy territory in the neighbourhood of Tangier, while Germany is to receive Ceuta.

The Minister ot Marine, Senor Prieto. says Italy has been promised the Balearic Islands and Germany the Azores, As the latter are Portuguese. Portugal will be compensated by receiving Galicia, comprising four provinces in the extreme north-west of Spain Any acquisition of territory in the Mediterranean by either Italy or Germany would be regarded by Britain as a direct challenge to her position. The recent declaration by the First. Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Samuel Hoare, that Britain would strengthen her position in the Mediterranean was not primarily addressed to Italy as a result of the Abyssinian dispute, but was a warning following upon the rumours of territorial readjustments.