THE ARAGON FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22956, 11 August 1936, Page 9

THE ARAGON FRONT

LOYALISTS ADVANCING REBEL FORCES REPULSED SEVERE LOSSES INFLICTED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON. August 9. The Government is launching a fresh northward push in the Guadarrawa sector. Rebel troops advancing from further south in order to support General Mola have been repulsed. Air-commander Sandino reports a Loyalist advance on the entire Aragon front, inflicting severe losses. THE NEUTRALITY PROPOSALS LONDON. August 9. The Madrid press, which nowadays is exclusively Governmental, regards the French neutrality proposals as a lesser evil than foreign intervention. The Left Wing leader, Senor Caballero, declares that French assistance would automatically provoke the Fascist countries to co-operate with the rebels, entailing an international war, for which reason European neutrality is essential. • Having seen some of the finest units of the rebel army marching between Sevilla and Granada, the Daily Mail's correspondent, who emphasises the modern character of General Franco's artillery, declares that he is convinced that Madrid, Barcelona, -and Bilbao cannot resist such forces. He says General Mola s northern troops approach the same standard with fine cavalry, workmanlike infantry and artillery, and eager volunteers. Meantime the Government successes in the important area around Saragossa continue. , , . The Gibraltar correspondent of The Times estimated the casualties in the bombardment of Algeciras at 100 killed and wounded, mostly civilian. The only military damage consisted of the destruction of the local batteries and the gunboat Dato, while the infantry and artillery barracks and military headquarters are intact. Private property suffered severely, especially the commercial wharves. The Government naval patrol in the waters at Ceuta and Algeciras have been increased to include the destroyers Alcala, Galiano, and Churruca. The Queen Elizabeth, flying the flag of the Mediterranean com-mander-in-chief, entered Gibraltar Harbour. OTHER POWERS APPROACHED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, August 8. In addition to* representations to the Powers already mentioned, the French Government has approached the Polish, Netherlands; and Czechoslovakian Governments in regard to non-intervention in Spain. Favourable replies have already been received from the two last-named. EVACUATION OF BRITONS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, August 8. Within the next two days British naval vessels will visit all ports on the north and east coast of Spam and the Balearic Islands, in order to take away any remaining British nationals who are desirous of leaving. On the south coast Britisn vessels are constantly visiting Spanish ports. There are in Madrid only 60 British subjects, including 25 members of the embassy and consulate staffs. DANGER TO GIBRALTAR (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, August 8. In view of the danger to which Gibraltar Harbour will be exposed, the British Government has informed both the Spanish Government and General Franco, commander of the insurgent forces, that in future no Spanish war vessel should proceed to anchor m the naval harbour at Gibraltar. A British warship will patrol the Straits of Gibraltar to protect British snipnins from interference, and it was made clear that there must be no firing in future on British ships. General Franco, moreover, has been informed that if military aircraft fly over Gibraltar they will be warneel by the firing of three rounds in advance of the machine, and if this warning is not effective the fire will be directed at the air- ° A recent incident in the neighbourhood was the dropping of bombs near the British ship Medon and the Dutch ship Zonnewyek a few miles off Europa Point yesterday, for which it is practically certain Spanish aircraft, operating from Morocco, were responsible. REBEL CRUISER DAMAGED LONDON, August 9. The Government asserts, that the rebel cruiser Almirante Cervera is unable to leave Ferrol, members of the crew having smashed important machinery. It also asserts that it intercepted a wireless message from the commander of the rebels at Oviedo stating that he was unabie to hold out for more than a few hours unless reinforced. EVACUATION OF ARGENTINIANS NEW YORK, August 9. (Received August 10, at 11.30 p.m.) The Buenos Aires correspondent ot the New York Times says: "The Argentine Government to-day indicated that it was prepared to force a new and perhaps significant issue in the Spanish rebellion. The navy s crack cruiser Veinticino de Mayo is speeding towards Spain with orders to evacuate the Argentine ambassador, Senor Mansilla, several Argentinians, and five Spanish rebels who are now virtually prisoners at the summer embassy at Zaruaz. near San Sebastian, on the old-established Spanish-American thesis that diplomats have the right to extend asylum to revolutionaries. According to information received here, a British warship recently attempted to evacuate Senor Mansilla, but he insisted that the rebels had the mht to accomp: iy him, to which the Spanish authorities refused to agree. According to Government officials here, the Veinticino de Mayo carries a full fighting complement of men on a war footing, and the commander has categorical instructions to remove Senor Mansilla and whoever may be with him."

A REBEL ANNOUNCEMENT LISBON. August 9. (Received August 10, at 11.30 p.m.) The rebel radio station at Tetuan announces "with all reserve" the reported resignation of the Prime Minister, Senor Giral, in favour of Senor Prieto, who is a moderate Socialist. SOVIET PRESS RETICENT MOSCOW, August 9. (Received August 10, at 10 p.m.) The press has ceased publication of resolutions voting funds to Spanish loyalists and has ceased referring to assistance for the Government. PLEASURE YACHT FIRED ON ENGLISH CAPTAIN KILLED LOITDON, August 10. (Received August 10, at 10.30 p.m.) Captain Rupert Saville, aged ">, a retired Royal Air Force officer, was killed and his American wife wounded, not seriousK bv a rebel shell while they were cruising in the yacht Blue Shadow off Gijon, northern Spain. The British torpedo boat Comet came to the rescue and took off the passangers. "aptain Seville put into Gijon for repairs after grounding outside the harbour, but was warned that the rebel warship Almirante Cervera was approaching to resume bom' irdment of the town. He again put to sea. The warship mistook the Blue Shadow for a Government vessel and fired several times, registering a direct hit, necessitating immediate abandonment of the yacht. The Almirante Cervera has already severely damaged the town and killed and wounded hundreds in a week's bombardment with eight-inch guns. The officer commanding the Cervera wirelessed profound regret to the British embassy. A message from Hendaye reports that the Cervera, apparently firing at anything it could see, hit the Blue Shadow a mile away. Captain Saville was the second English civil war victim, the first being Mr Fernander, an inspector for the Ford Company, who was shot in the street at Barcelona last month. KING ALFONSO IN VIENNA LONDON, August 10. (Received August 10, at 10.30 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph's Vienna correspondent says King Alfonso arrived unexpectedly from Czechoslovakia, accompanied, by two Spanish couriers who were sent to Czechoslovakia on August 7. The plane in which the couriers travelled was detained in Czechoslovakia, but the pilot, Owen Cathcart Jones, demanded its surrender, declaring that he would hold the authorities responsible for loss owing to delay. King Alfonso intends to spend a holiday in the Austrian lake district. A PROTEST FROM ITALY ROME, August 10. (Received August 10, at 10.30 p.m.) Italy has strongly protested to the Spanish Government against the assasination of three Italians in Barcelona, demanding an indemnity and punishment of the assassins.