SUPPLY OF ARMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23045, 23 November 1936, Page 9

SUPPLY OF ARMS

SPANISH REBELS' THREAT LULL IN THE FIGHIING NO DECISIVE VICTORY (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 21. (Received Nov. 22, at 7.30 p.m.) According to a Teneriffe radio report, General Franco has issued a new warning to France and Russia that he will destroy all ships taking arms to Spain. Simultaneously the Barcelona radio announced that Russian freighters are discharging abundant supplies at the port. Twenty inches of snow has slowed down the fcghting. The position appears to have reached a stalemate There has been no vital change in six days. The rebels' broadcast threat to destroy ships carrying arms has not yet reached the Russian or French Governments. A further broadcast announced that a neutral zone would not be established at Barcelona for foreign vessels. Meanwhile it is reported that the rebels have sunk another Spanish merchantman off the CataIsn cosst The insurgents claim that they drove back the militia, capturing the model prison, which, although battered by General Franco's guns, was still a formidable obstacle defended by thousands armed with machine guns and hand grenades. It fell after the attackers had rushed a labyrinth of barricades amid the streets piled with dead. They also claim that they have penetrated the Paseo de Rosales and Princeza and St. Vincent streets, and have secured the Montana barracks.

A rebel broadcast .alleges that the majority of the defenders of Madrid are Russians. t

On the other hand, the Government declares that, despite the daylong icy rain, the situation has improved. The militia advanced its lines everywhere, and consolidated its positions. The Casa de Velasquez was wiped out by machine gun fire. General Franco has notified Whitehall that he has extended the safety zone in Madrid to include the British and other Embassies. HUGE GOLD SUPPLY REBEL LEADER'S PLANS PARIS, Nov. 21. (Received Nov. 22, at 7.30 p.m.) It is reported that General Franco, on the strength of the German and Italian recognition, intends legal action against the Bank of France to recover £60,000,000 in gold which the Spanish Government has sent there. INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED SAFETY OF AMERICANS WASHINGTON, Nov. 21. (Received Nov. 22, at 7 p.m.) The State Department gave free authority to the secretary of the Madrid Embassy to close the embassy and leave with the staff upon his discretion. Jt has instructed the diplomatic representative at Barcelona to summon the 135 Americans in the district to be in readiness to depart in an American naval vessel whenever necessary. HORRORS OF AIR ATTACK THOUSANDS SHELTER IN CELLARS MANY BURIED IN RUINS MADRID, Nov. 20. Only when dawn broke could the havoc of yesterday's air raid be assessed. Tram lines are torn up and there are gaping holes in the city's Piccadilly. Circus. During the bombing thousands fled to cellars, in one of which in the Atocha area 50 were entombed. It is believed that 150 people are buried in the ruins of houses.

Forty women and children were killed or wounded in a food queue. Two crowded trams were blown to fragments. Thousands of cold and foodless people are now nuddled in cellars. The extent of the food shortage is indicated by many cafes displaying notice boards " no more food." The Communist leaders are now planning to evacuate the civilian population. Prince Alfonso Bourdon, a relative of ex-King Alfonso, was killed when a rebel plane crashed. HALT IN OPERATIONS STORM ENDS BOMBARDMENT MADRID, Nov. 20. A violent storm brought the aerial warfare to a standstill and hampered general operations. General Franco, for the maintenance of the proposed blockade, has at his disposal eight warships, two gunboats, one cruiser, and two destroyers, none of which is near Barcelona. The loyalists possess 16 warships and two submarines, but lack trained officers. RECOGNITION OF FRANCO APPRECIATION EXPRESSED BERLIN, Nov. 21. (Received Nov. 21, at 5.5 p.m.) General France has telegraphed Herr Hitler expressing " deep gratitude " for Germany's rpcognition. THE RUSSIAN VIEW A DECLARATION OF WAR MADRID. Nov. 20. (Received Nov. 21, at 5.5 p.m.) A Moscow report says the Izvestia declares that the German and Italian recognition of General Franco is tantamount to an open declaration of war against Spain. "DEFENCE OF CHRISTIANITY" IRISHMEN JOINING REBELS LONDON. Nov. 21. (Received Nov. 21 at 5.5 p.m.) A Dublin correspondent says that, headed by General O'Duffy. 40 Irishmen, mostly ex-servicemen, mcludtwo doctors, have sailed for Liverpool en route for Spain to fight with General Franco's forces.

General O'Duffy, in a message to the Irish people, says: " Our motive is simple, and our object is definite. The motive is born of Christianity and the object is the defence of Christianity.' EFFORT TO REDUCE SUFFERING A PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION LONDON, Nov. 20. An all-party delegation of members of the British House of Commons is going to Madrid immediately, consisting of Mr F. S. Cocks (Labour), Mr W. P Greene (Con.), Mr D. R. Grenfell (Labour), Lord Kinnoull, Captain J. R. J. MacNamara (Con.), Mr Wilfred Roberts (Labour), and Wing-commander A. W. H. James (Con.) in order to gain personal information and use whatevei influence is possible as neutrals to mitigate the horrors and sufferings characterised in the Spanish conflict. BRITISH PUBLIC SHOCKED A MESSAGE TO MADRID LONDON, Nov. 20. A telegram signed by a number of members of Parliament and others, including Mr Geoffrey Mander, Mr Wilfred Roberts, Mr D. N. Pritt, -Mr Aldous Huxley, and Miss Rose Macaulay, has been sent, to Madrid stating that public opinion in England is horrified Ly the criminal bombardment of Madrid. FASCIST LEADER SHOT BROTHER IMPRISONED ALICANTE, Nov. 20. It is officially announced that Jose Primo de Rivera was executed by a firing squad. A previous message stated: The Popular Tribunal at Alicante sentenced to death Jose Primo de Rivera, leader of the Spanish Fascists, and sentenced his brother Miguel to 30 years and Miguel's wife to six years. A FIRM ATTITUDE RIGHTS OF BRITISH SHIPPING LONDON, Nov. 20. Mr Eden's statement in the House of Commons is taken to indicate that seizure and search of & British ship outside the three-mile limit would not be tolerated.