PLEA FOR MERCY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23331, 25 October 1937, Page 7

PLEA FOR MERCY

MASS EXECUTIONS FEARED INSURGENTS IN CHARGE AT GIJON HARROWING SCENES DESCRIBED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 23. (Received Oct. 24, at 6.30 p.m.) Fears of mass executions in Gijon, similar to those in Bilbao and Santander, led to many telegrams to British members of Parliament asking them to use their influence to obtain mercy. A broadcast by the insurgents announces that a special tribunal has begun trying Gijon residents. The retort from Salamanca to the British and French.plea for clemency has been allegations that the Asturians burned and looted Infestio after executing civilians. Two urgent appeals have been issued to the democratic Powers to send ships to evacuate refugees. Attacks on Refugees Twelve crowded refugee craft from Gijon were sunk by Nationalist warships and others are battling a fierce storm in the Bay of Biscay. Small detachments of Asturians are still fighting desperately. The warship Southampton, which arrived from northern Spain, brought harrowing stories of the flight of refugees after the fall of Gijon. Men, women and children wildly stampeded amid a hail of bullets, and boarded ships, including three British steamers. Many lives were lost in the stampede. The Republican destroyer Viscar, carrying refugees, was disabled in a sea battle and was rescued by a French ship. INSURGENTS PRESSING ON RUSSIAN WAR MATERIAL CAPTURED SALAMANCA, Oct. 22. The insurgents, pressing on after Gijon, captured Aviles, whither many Republicans fled. The only northern centre where Government troops _ are offering resistance is the mining area between Oviedo and Pajarfes. There the miners expected to continue the fighting. The insurgents captured 24 Russian tanks, many flame throwers, much ammunition, a few aeroplanes and released 2000 political prisoners. PRESIDENT’S CONFIDENCE ITALY AND GERMANY ACCUSED MADRID, Oct. 23. (Received Oct. 24, at 7.30 p.m.) The Spanish President (Senor Negrin), broadcasting, said the Government was entering on the second winter campaign, after which the real Spain would emerge victorious. Italy and Germany were using the Non-intervention Committee solely for the purpose of gaining time. WOUNDED RETURN TO ITALY ARRIVAL OF HOSPITAL SHIP ROME, Oct. 23. (Received Oct. 24, at 7.45 p-nO A hospital ship arrived at Naples yesterday with 700 wounded Italians from Spain. IMPRISONED AT MALAGA BRITISH OFFICIAL’S PLIGHT GIBRALTAR, Oct. 23. (Received Oct. 24, at 6.30 p.nw Mr H. Merrick, colonial auditor at Gibraltar, has been imprisoned at Malaga since Monday. No chaiges have been formulated. He went to Malaga on a week-end visit.