TERRIFIC FIGHTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23220, 18 June 1937, Page 9

TERRIFIC FIGHTING

ON OUTSKIRTS OF BILBAO HILLS COVERED WITH DEAD GIGANTIC BRIDGE BLOWN UP (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) HENDAYE, June 16. Tweedledum has become Tweedledee according to the latest insurgent announcement, which, with grim irony, labels Government supporters " rebels." and declares the Basques to be responsible if the war is carried to the centre of Bilbao, as General Franco brings only peace, and he has no rancour against those who have been misguided enough to rebel against him.

The announcement goes on to accuse the Basques of all the destruction and atrocities in the past few weeks. It adds that they were terrorised by foreign leaders, while only 100 per cent of Spaniards were fighting on behalf of General Franco. The insurgents admit that the Basques are contesting every inch of the advance. Terrific fighting continues on the outskirts of Bilbao, and the hills are reported to be covered with dead. THE BASQUES RETREATING THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS LONDON, June 16. Amid an orgy of bloodshed, carnage, destruction and the tragic flight of the Basque civilians, General Franco's encircling movement against Bilbao progressed today after the capture of Galdac'ano, south-west of the city, which cost the Basques 2000 casualties. The insurgents found the streets filled with the debris of weeks — wrecked houses, corpses, dead mules, broken glass and sandbags. The defenders sacked the town and dynamited the explosive factory before their departure. The insurgents claim that 10,000 prisoners have been taken since the " iron belt" was broken. Perhaps the most significant news is the number fleeing from Bilbao. It is estimated that over 20,000 people reached Santander from Bilbao during the past few days. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent, at Dario says a mixed brigade of Italians and Spaniards occupied Algorta, on the eastern flank of the Bilbao estuary, which effectively closed the harbour entrance. Las Arenas bridge over the estuary, a gigantic structure, costing £500,000, was blown up by retreating Asturian miners. THE DEUTSCHLAND VICTIMS BURIAL IN GERMANY BERLIN, June 16. The Deutschland arrived at Willemshaven carrying the bodies of the 31 killed on May 30. The bodies were, borne tp the qemetery, where they were buried beside the officers and men killed at Jutland. They were carried on lorries escorted by marines through the streets, where pylons flamed at every corner. GERMANY AND ITALY RESUMING PATROL DUTIES (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 16. The German and Italian Ambassadors in London informed Lord! Plymotlth, chairman of the Non-in-tervention Committee, that as the result of the week-end quadrilateral agreement Germany and Italy had decided to resume their co-operation in the Non-intervention Committee and an active part in the patroi duties in Spanish waters. STATEMENT BY MR EDEN (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 16. ■ The decision of Germany and Italy to resume co-operation in the work of the Non-intervention Committee was communicated to the House of Commons by Mr Eden, who said: "The House will y note that the two Governments have now taken this eXtion in-advance of receipt of the essurances which have been asked from the two parties in Spain." Answering a question regarding foreign assistance to the two sides in the Spanish civil war, Mr Eden said that since the agreement of February 20 concerning volunteers the flow of foreign nationals had been checked. The British Government would continue its work to prevent foreign combatants and supplies of war materials reaching Spain, and especially to secure an agreement on the withdrawal of all foreign combatants.