PERU OF MADRID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22675, 12 March 1937, Page 11

PERU OF MADRID

ENEMY ADVANCING LED BY ITALIANS THE PRESSURE TERRIFIC MINES PROTECT CAPITAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) MADRID, March 10 A message from Talavera, to the south-west of Madrid, states that the rebels to-day launched another offensive involving 30,000 men, led by Italians whose desire to maintain their prestige forbids them risking defeat. It was directed against Madrid on the Guadalajara sector, and the Aragon highway, north-east of the capital, and was pushed forward at the highest possible speed. An advance of 12 miles was achieved.

However, it cannot be said yet that the capture of Madrid is imminent because in the last resort an electrically connected ring of mines round the city can be exploded. The pressure of the Italian columns is terrific. Bombers are increasingly active. The attackers cover a two-mile front and have occupied the Valdi Arenas heights, 16 miles from their objective. The Government Ivas ordered the immediate mobilisation of all ablebodied men aged from 21 to 25 in view of the gravity of the situation. It will, by this action, strengthen its forces by 100,000 men.

MAR CANTABRICO REBEL PORT REACHED TWO BODIES RECOVERED (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) SANTANDER, March 10 The Spanish steamer Mar Cantabrico, which was attacked by the rebel cruiser Canarias and which, it was reported, was. sailing under false colours in the Bay of Biscay, has reached the rebel port of Ferrol, on the northwest coast. The vessel was said to be laden with war material from America for the Government. The fire is still burning in No. 2 hold. French fishing boats picked up the bodies of two seamen from the Mar Cantabrico. Each had been shot in the head.

The Spanish seaman Pablo 800, a member of the crew of the vessel, in supplementing his earlier story, says the crew deposed the captain, believing that he was in secret communication with the insurgents. The first officer was in control when the Canarias stopped the ship.

ARRIVAL IN FRANCE YOUNG COUPLE'S ADVENTURE (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) ' BAYONNE. March 10 The Hon. Jessica Freeman Mitford, daughter of Lord Redesdale, and Mr. Esmond Romilly, a nephew of Mr. Winston Churchill, arrived at Bayonne to-day from Bilbao in the British destrover Echo. It is understood that they are going to Paris. It was rumoured that the two intended to marry, although this was opposed by their families. Mr. Romilly had been in Spain supporting the Loyalists' causo. SYMPATHETIC STRIKE LABOUR DELEGATE'S SCHEME LONDON, March 10 Two hundred delegates, representing 20 countries, are attending the International Labour Conference in London to consider the situation in Spain. Sij Walter Citrine is presiding. The Spanish delegate, Senor Pascual Tomas, suggested a simultaneous sympathetic strike in every European country.

FRENCH STEAMER BOMB FROM THE AIR PARIS, March 10 Airmen bombed the French steamer Djebel Antar off Minorca. One bomb fell on the deck, but failed to explode. No injuries resulted. The Ministry of Marine, in announcing the attack, stated that a warship had been sent out to convoy the steamer to Marseilles, where she is expected to-night.