STRONG ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22993, 22 March 1938, Page 11

STRONG ATTACK

SPANISH REBELS LOYALISTS RESISTING REPEATED AIR RAIDS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 21, fi.lo p.m.) LONDON, March 2L The Spanish insurgents launched a strong attack on the Alcaniz sector yesterday, forcing the loyalists to evacuate the town of Lacondonera. The Ministry of Defence announced that in repeated air raids in the province of Castellon tho hospital at Vinaroz was hit, there being many victims. A message from Salamanca states that the insurgents claim to have occupied important positions in tlxe Caspe sector of the Aragon front. Loyalist troops, heavily reinforced, have apparently formed a line of resistance from east of Caspe to east of Alcaniz, where the main rebel column is concentrated. Another is operating in the Codonera district, and another round Caspe. The total strength is ] 50,000.

Two shiploads of German war material leave Italian ports daily for the rebels.

The city of Barcelona was free from air raids yesterday. It is believed that this was because the Government liad assembled 60 fighters and a few bombers to repel possible attacks.

The Times says the British Note to General Franco on the bombing or Barcelona reminds him that such attacks are contrary to the principles of international law and to every dictate of humanity and public opinion. It is understood France has asked the Vatican to join in the appeal end the bombing of open towns. It is felt General Franco may heed an appeal from the Vatican because he rarely misses an opportunity of declaring his allegiance to the Catholic Church. Government fighters to-day brought down one and drove off two rebel seaplanes. No bombs were dropped. In the course of one of the earlier raids the Brazilian Ambassador and his woman secretary were injured. The British Consulate has advised British subjects that a ship is available to-day to take off those who wish to depart from the city. BOMBS ON BARCELONA GERMANY'S NEW TYPE POWERFUL DESCRIPTION LONDON. March 20 Technicians identified bombs dropped on Barcelona on Thursday as of a new and powerful German type, says the Daily Telegraph's Barcelona correspondent. The German General Staff, it is believed, opposed their use, preferring to reserve them for a European conflict, but Field-Marshal Goering insisted upon testing their efficiency.

PREMIER CRITICISED

HESIGNATION suggested PROTESTS AGAINST BOMBING LONDON, March 20 The chairman of the Labour Party's national campaign, Mr. Herbert Morrison, stated to-day that Mr. Chamberlain must perceive that the country and a growing number of members of Parliament are against him. The honourable course, said Mr. Morrison, would be to resign in favour of a Prime Minister with views more fully corresponding with the nation's outlook.

Britons did not desire a continuance of the present nightmare, but wanted to organise peace. Twenty thousand people assembled in Trafalgar Square to-day to protest against the bombing in Spain and the British Government's refusal to grant arms to the loyalists. Thousands marched in Bermondsey shouting: "Chamberlain must go!"