FALL OF GIJON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22867, 23 October 1937, Page 11

FALL OF GIJON

VICTORY FOR REBELS CONTROL OF NORTH DEFENDERS IN FLIGHT MANY TROOPS CAPTURED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Keceivetl October (>.."> p.m.) LONDON, Oct. A message from Salamanca says the insurgents claim to have entered Gijon, the last port in northern Spain held by the Government forces. Asturians blew up houses and bridges. The Governor of Bilbao, in a broadcast message, said that the insurgents entered an almost deserted city. People of Gijon tied in panic to the mountains, and militiamen retired and took refuge in mines, where they are preparing further resistance.

An insurgent warship captured a vessel with 200 refugees on board, including Senor Thomas, head of the Gijon Government. Release of Rebel Troops - General Franco expects to "mop up" the north in a fortnight, thus releasing 45.000 troops and 120 aeroplanes. Pending the entry of the main body, insurgent advance guards have taken over control of Gijon. The invaders found houses befiagged with red and gold, the Carlist colours, also many white flags. Political hostages were immediately released. Hundreds of people, including Asturian leaders, fled by boat as the insurgents encircled the town. Twelve boats were captured by insurgent warships 40 miles from Gijon and the occupants taken prisoner. The insurgents claim to have captured 6000 Government troops. The Governor of Bilbao has broadcast an appeal for motor lorries and other vehicles to carry food to Gijon. Four Battalions Surrender When the news of the fall of the town reached Oviedo, four battalions of Government troops who had been besieging that city for 15 months surrendered. Thus General Franco is practically master of all the north of Spain, and as a result he will be able to withdraw large forces from the north and concentrate on the struggle in central Spain.

The Government, however, is also relieved of a harassing moral necessity of sending valuable materials to the north. Such supplies were a dead loss, as it was recognised that eventually they would fall into the insurgents' hands. The British Government has instructed the British Ambassador to Spain to support tho appeal of the French Government to General Franco to treat the Gijon prisoners with all the humanity possible, said the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, in the House of Commons. He added that 30,000 people had been evacuated from Gijon in the past two months by ships under the protection of the British Navv.

RELEASE OBTAINED CAPTURED STEAMER BRITISH CRUISER TO RESCUE LOXDOX. Oct. 21 The Foreign Office has divulged the story of a clash between Spanish insurgent and British warships. It is stated that on Wednesday the British steamer Stangrove, carrying GOO refugees, mostly women and children, was captured off Gijon by an armed rebel trawler.

The cruiser Southampton rushed to the spot and demanded the release of the steamer from the cruiser Almirante Cerventes, which was near the scene, on the ground that the Stangrove was not in territorial waters. The release was effected under protest. The Southampton escorted the Stangicvc to Bordeaux.

CONSCRIPTION DECISION ITALIAN AIR PILOTS ROME. Oct. 21 The Italian Cabinet has decided to conscript pilots for the air force owing to lack of volunteers and losses i:i Spain.

The official calendar of the Fascist militia bears a large photograph captioned, "Dead of Guadalajara Vindicated." This is the first time events in Spain have been mentioned in an official document.