MADRID BOMBED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23057, 7 December 1936, Page 10

MADRID BOMBED

FEROCIOUS ATTACKS DEATH AND DESTRUCTION WOMEN AND CHILDREN SHOT DOWN (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MADRID, Dec. 4. Thirty bombers brought off the hitherto most spectacular raid on Madrid, setting fire to various parts of the city. The raiders, having exhaused their bomb supplies, swooped down and mercilessly machine gunned fleeing men, women, and children. The air raid was repeated in the afternoon, demolishing houses and burying scores of people in the Arguelles and Rosales quarters. The north-west of Madrid was reduced to ruins. FIVE HUNDRED ARRESTS MEMBERS OF REBEL ORGANISATION

MADRID, December 4.

The loyalists, though met by rifle fire, arrested 500 persons occupying a building under the innocent protection of the Finnish Legation. These are believed to be members of a secret organisation known as the Fifth Division, which is supposed to be conducting subterranean rebel propaganda in Madrid. NON-INTERVENTION COMMITTEE IMPORTANT PROPOSALS QUESTION OF FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS 'British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Dec. 4. At the request of the chairman of the International Committee for the application of the agreement regarding non-intervention in Spain, the United Kingdom Government has addressed a communication to the two parties in the civil war conveying the proposals of the committee for a system of supervision at Spanish points of entry by land and sea. One communication was sent to Sir Henry Chilton at Hendaye, and another to Mr Oglivie Forbes at Madrid. The chairman's sub-committee of the International Committee had before it to-day the question of foreign volunteers. It is understood that the Foreign Secretary sent a personal message to to-day's meeting, in which he stressed again his concern regarding the arrival of foreign volunteers on both sides in the civil war.

An official statement issued at the close of the sub-committee's meeting says a general exchange of views took place with regard to both the question of the increasing entry of foreign nationals into Spain and other aspects of indirect intervention. The sub-committee was agreed upon the importance of these questions, and decided upon the general outlines of the proposals with regard thereto for submission to the Main Committee. These proposals will be elaborated for consideration by the sub-committee at a further meeting on Monday. AID FOR SPAIN MEDICAL UNIT OPPOSED MONETARY HELP FAVOURED (Per United Phess Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. At a meeting of the joint council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, the following resolution was passed:— " That the joint council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society supports the appeal made by the League of Red Cross Societies (Paris) through the New Zealand Red Cross Society on behalf of assistance being given for Red Cross work in Spain. The council favours assistance being given by monetary contribution, and not by sending a. medical unit." AIR RAID ON MADRID HEAVY CASUALTIES CITY AGAIN BOMBED MADRID, Dec. 5. (Received Dec. 6, at 6.30 p.m.) It is officially announced that 92 were killed and 200 wounded in yesterday's air raid. The city was further raided and shelled to-day, with heavy casualties. NON-INTERVENTION PACT FRENCH GOVERNMENT URGED TO WITHDRAW M. BLUM'S COUNSEL PREVAILS PARIS, Dec. 6. (Received Dec. 6, at 8 p.m.) > M. Blum's Government nearly crashed on the second day of the foreign policy debate, the Communists disapproving of the Government's refusal to withdraw from the non-intervention pact and ooenly supply arms to Spain. M. Thorez accused Herr Hitler of fomenting the Spanish revolution. M. Blum earned the Communists against disavowing the Government's foreign policy, as a lack of confidence in the Popular Front would cause its resignation. M. Thorez ultimately announced that the Communists would not join hands with the Opposition, and consequently they refrained from voting.

The Chamber passed a vote of confidence in the Government by 350 votes to 171.