HEROIC SPANIARDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10962, 26 July 1921, Page 5

HEROIC SPANIARDS

STAND AGAINST REBELS GRAPHIC STORY OF THE MEUILLA FIGHTING. GENERAL’S GREAT COURAGE. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright „ Reuter’* Telegram. (Received Julv 25. 5.0 p.m.) MADRID, July 23. Two thousand troops have been urgently dispatched to Melilla from Ceuta. Further reinforcements are to follow. Several warships are being s?nt. and the Government has requisitioned a number of Atlantic liners and other large steamers to transport troops. The Minister of War described the retreat from Anual as most disastrous. There were many casualties. He said that Spain was faced with a new situation in Morocco. Hitherto she only had to deal with isolated groups of rebels, biuti she is now faced with e real rebel army, perfectly organised. One report states that the native troops at Anual mutinied. General Syl-v-estre fought at the head of 'his men, *vho were surrounded, and their munitions exhausted. Sylveetre ordered the retirement in face of overwhelming odds, hut himself and his staff, who refused to leave him, remained behind. Details are lacking, but it .is known that General Sylvestre, two aides, and two colenels, are Among the killed. isAitUaa and N.Z. Gable N —notation Later. Attacks by powerful bodies of Moroccan rebels continue. General Sylvestre’s detachments are still falling back, though it is believed there are sufficient men to defend the MeUDa zone.. General Navarro has replaced General Sylveetre. An escaped officer reports that the native-trained levies showed previous indications of treachery and committed acts of mutiny, but General Sylveetre <£d not heed the reports, believing that his presence would restrain them and restore older, but when the General dispatched the bulk of has troops to a new position at 'ffigber Brana thousands of fully-armed and trained routineers, possessing artillesy, attacked the remainder. General -Sylveetre and; his staff na oeeded in getting back to Anual, near Melilla, where the dpanish ’The rebels cut off General Sylvestre’s foroe from the supply banc The General then ordered, a lotunfc to jSedi Driss, he, wdth staff, remaining at the post of danger at Anual. The retreating troops, carrying . their wounded, proceeded m contingents. . Each was attacked en routs by the pursuing rebels, who charged 1 with fixed bayonets. General Sylveetre exentuaHy got all the survivors of has force to safety, he and his staff rpmaining idiTTiO’ at Anual. Unable to escape, they were assembled. General Sylveetre saying that they not fall into the of the Moors. He drew his revolver and the others did (likewise. Ail ebook apj embraced, and then shot themselves. General Sylveetre witnessing their deaths. He shot himself last. General Sylvestre is bailed as a here throughout Spain, having caved thousands of troops fmm massacre.