Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

FALL IMMINENT

REBELS CLOSING ON MADRID ANOTHER RAID BY BOMBERS A SPECTACULAR BATTLE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 19. Madrid is prepared for the occupation of the city. General Franco has announced the appointment of a new “ Mayor of Madrid,” whose first care is to be the hasty reprovisioning of the city. Huge reserves of food are stored in towns around idrid. All the towns occupied by the rebels have agreed to provide c specified quantity of bread until conditions are normal. The Galician provinces have been ordered to send the whole of the fish catches to Madrid by special train. It is proposed to install restaurants in the capital, providing the needy with two free meals a day. Bombers and fighters flew over Madrid this afternoon. Their aim apparently was the Ministry of War building, but they missed it. Two adjacent buildings were destroyed, but there were no casualties. Antiaircraft guns opened up; then the defenders’ planes appeared heading straight for the raiders. Soon more than 30 planes were engaged in a spectacular battle, two crashing in flames. The raiders were driven off. LOYALIST REINFORCEMENTS MADRID. Nov. 19. It Is estimated that 100 casualties occurred when 30 rebel planes raided the city early in the morning, apparently aiming at the skyscraper telephone exchange, which was missed. The exchange girls carried on at the switchboards while the bombs were falling. The rebels claim to have captured the model prison and reached North Station, which is burning. The Government claims that the military situation has little changed. Forty thousand reinforcements have arrived to assist the loyalists. The cruiser Canarias is reported to have sunk a Government munition ship. THE BLOCKADE OF BARCELONA LONDON, Nov. 19. It is understood that Whitehall experts are busily investigating General Franco’s right to blockade Barcelona, likewise measures to protect British shipping. An insurgent cruiser twice shelled Barcelona last night. General Franco sent a message to the authorities in London indicating that the safety of British warships at certain ports, including Tarragona, Valencia, Alicante and Cartagena. would only be guaranteed at specified anchorages. LEGALITY OF BLOCKADE NOT RECOGNISED BY BRITAIN LONDON, Nov. 19. (Received Nov. 20, at 7 p.m.) The Australian Associated Press understands that the British Government at present does not recognise the legality of any blockade. It is pointed out that if a system of supervision of Spanish ports is established, which the Non-interven-tion Committee is considering, General Franco will have no reason to impose a blockade. Lord Plymouth’s Sub-committee is due to meet on Monday for a discussion of this (scheme, which aims at supervision by neutral observers at 40 points of entry to Spain. The cost of these commissions is estimated at £1,100,000 a year, and it is proposed that the expense be home mainly by Britain, Italy, Germany and Russia, with the small balance shared among the smaller Powers who are parties to the neutrality agreement. It is not anticipated in London at present that Italy and Germany would refuse to share the cost, and this is regarded as confirmed bj renewed assurances from ’■’crlin and Rome to-day that recognition has not changed Italy’s and Germany’s attitude towards noniervention, though a reliable authority adds that should the work of the London Non-intervention Committee prove abortive Herr Hitler will lose no time in reconsidering the position. The British Ambassador at Hendaye, Sir Henry Chilton, has been instructed to seek an immediate interview witl General Franco’s representative at Burgos and ascertain the position of British ships and nationals if the blockade operates. The latest development is viewed gravely by Britain, which will certainly not acquiesce in any attempt t- impede legitimate trade with the Government, with which it is maintaining friendly relations. In the meantime it is believed that the French and British Governments have agreed to avoid any new concentration of naval or air-forces in the Mediterranean, which might increase tension, but are consulting with reference to General Franco’s action.

The Italian and German Consuls and staffs and many nationals p-’omptly embarked from Barcelona to-day. The Daily Telegraph’s naval correspondent says General Franco does not possess a sufficient naval force effectively to blockade Barcelona or any other port. Several of his ships are bff the northern coast and five Government submarines are patrolling between Malaga Straits and Gibraltar to prevent their junction with the insurgents’ ships in the south, otherwise the entire Government fleet is concentrated at Cartagena. Two Government submarines, ably handled, should have no difficultv in raising any blockade. SAFETY ZONE FOR SHIPPING LONDON. Nov. 19. The Times says: It is unlikely that the British Government will admit General Franco’s right to bombard Barcelona indiscriminately without previous indication of a safety zone for neutral shipping. Several destroyers are at present within easy reach of Barcelona. They will not invite trouble, but will be continually in readiness to embark Britons and other foreigners wishing to leave. RUSSIAN VESSELS RELEASED MOSCOW, Nov. 19. It is announced that the rebels have released the steamer Soyuz Vodnikov and two other Russian vessels detained last week.

RECOGNITION OF REBELS PARIS, Nov. 19. “A powder magazine threatening all Europe,” is how the newspapers describe the Italian and German recognition of General Franco, which is attributed to the need for giving him moral support after the bombardment of Madrid. JAPAN’S ATTITUDE TOKIO, Nov. 19. Well-informed quarters express the opinion that Japan will recognise General Franco when order has been restored in Madrid. REBEL LEADER’S DECLARATION SALAMANCA, Nov. 19. General Franco declared that recognition by two friendly nations sanctioned in a most solemn manner the success of the first stage in saving Spain. QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Nov. 19. Mr Anthony Eden was closely questioned in the House of Commons in regard to the latest developments in the Spanish situation. In reference to the decision by the German and Italian Governments to recognise General Franco’s Government, he said the attitude of the British Government remained as previously defined. Major Atlee said he took it from the reply that there was no intention of His Majesty’s Government recognising General Franco. Mr Eden pointed out that there was a distinction between the recognition of belligerents and the recognition of any one side as the Government of Spain. In reply to Mr A. V. Alexander (Labour) with regard to a statement reported in the press of a proposed blockage and possible bombardment of Barcelona, Mr Eden said Britain’s position remained governed by the rules she had followed since the dispute began. In regard to the protection of British shipping, the rules which normally governed inter national action in such matters would be pursued by his Majesty’s ships in defence of British interests Mr Eden said recognition was not a breach of the non-intervention pact. So far as breaches were concerned there were other nations more tc blame than either Germany or Italy - When asked if he would seek a specific assurance that recognition by Germany and Italy did not mean that they held themselves free to supply arms, Mr Eden replied: “ Certainly. Our whole object is to see that non-intervention works.” CARGO VESSEL SUNK LONDON, Nov. 19. (Received Nov. 20, at 5.5 p.m.) The insurgent cruiser Canarias sank a Spanish cargo vessel near Barcelona to-day. SITUATION COMPLICATED LONDON, Nov. 19. (Received Nov. 20, at 10 p.m.) The proclamation by General Franco of the impending bombardment of Barcelona and other ports held by the Spanish Government and the blockade of Barcelona coupled with Italian and German recognition of General Franco’s Gov ernment, still further complicates the diplomatic situation. The insurgents have notified the British naval authorities that British warships will be safe only if relegated to certain positions off the Government controlled Mediterranean ports. The British Government to-day got into contact with the_ insurgents’ headquarters to ascertain whether a safety zone will be indicated also for foreign shipping at Barcelona, of which there was no mention in the warning received. REASON FOR JOINT ACTION LONDON, Nov. 20. (Received Nov. 21, at 1.45 a.m.) According to the Morning Post’s diplomatic correspondent General Franco’s blockade decision was taken with the full knowledge of the Ger man and Italian Governments, who timed their recognition of his Government to coincide therewith. The reason for the joint action is that an important shipment of Russian munitions is en route to Barcelona, and the three Governments are deter mined to prevent its arrival. The German and Italian Governments have already accepted the legitimacy of the blockade, thus making it more difficult for others to raise objections.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19361121.2.82

Bibliographic details

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 13

Word Count
1,423

FALL IMMINENT Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 13

FALL IMMINENT Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 13