TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 13

TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

SANTANDER CITY - INSURGENT TROOPS BANDS LEAD THE RANKS FORMER ENEMIES SALUTE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. August 26 General Franco accompanied the rebel troops' entry into Santander. It is claimed that 46,000 Loyalists virtually surrendered. Gijon, to the west, is the next objective. Three delegates from Santander, including the leader of the Government shock troops, were led blindfolded through the insurgent lines after dawn and formally surrendered the city. This action followed a quiet night, during which insurgent guns were trained on the city. Rebel generals demanded 100 hostages as a token of good faith, whereupon the delegates returned to tho city and soon afterward Government troops wero seen abandoning their positions preparatory to surrender. The rebel forces then closed in to occupy tho city. Tanks and armoured cars were soon rumbling through the streets. Not a shot was fired as the rebel troops, preceded by bands, marched into Santander. Thousands of militiamen who a few hours previously had been fighting in the Government ranks lined the streets giving tho Nationalist salute. Many still carried rifles and revolvers. Trams were abandoned and all hotels, shops and cafes closed. Refugees from Santander continue to pour into the ports on the French and Basque coast. Thirty-two fishing boats took 2500 refugees to La Pallice, from where many more crowded trawlers wero sighted. Pending orders from the French Government local authorities are sending food aboard, but are not allowing the refugees to land, an exception being made in the case of one woman who gave birth to a child during the journey.

If tho insurgent forces succeed in taking tho area between Santander and Gijon, their next objective, they will be in command of the whole northern coastline of Spain. Gijon is about 100 miles from Santander. <

CELEBRATIONS IN ROME "AN ITALIAN VICTORY v BLACK SHIRTS DEMONSTRATE LONDON. August 26 A message from Rome says the capture of Santander was celebrated, as an Italian victory, by Black Shirts, who demonstrated all niglit long. Cafes are bedecked with flags. Newspapers state: "The victorious Black Shirts deserve well of Italy." OIL SHIP ATTACKED NO DAMAGE CAUSED (Received August 27, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON. August 27 An aeroplane of unknown nationality bombed the British oil tanker Romford near Barcelona. No damage was caused.

BOMBING OF STEAMER PROTEST BY BRITAIN British Wireless RUGBY. August 26 Britain has protested to General Franco regarding tho bombing by aeroplanes of the British steamer Noemijulia, in the Mediterranean. FOREIGN SUBMARINES WARNING FROM TURKEY v ISTANBUL. Aucnst 26 The Turkish Government has informed the Powers that any foreign submarine in Turkish waters refusing to answer a challenge will be blown up.