TERRIBLE PLIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 9

TERRIBLE PLIGHT

REFUGEES FROM GIJON VOYAGE IN ROUGH SEAS TAKEN TO CATALONIA (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) • ST. JEAN. DE LUZ, Oct. 25. (Received Oct. 26, at 8 After a voyage of 200 miles in the Bay of Biscay in rough seas for three and a-half days, 220 fullyarmed Asturian troops from Gijon arrived in a drifter, exhausted by their ordeal. It was a pitiful sight to see them struggling ashore in tattered uniforms. A lorry load of rifles, machine-guns and bombs was confiscated by the police. The refugees were later taken to Catalonia by train under escort. The wounded were taken to Bayonne Hospital.

Over 6000 refugees have now reached France and more are expected. All are being transferred to Catalonia. Many have suffered great hardships, drifting for days on the sea with insufficient water and food. Salamanca claims that 5000 militiamen who were fleeing from Gijon have been picked up by insurgent warships on the high seas. A French fishing boat arrived at La Rochelle towing a Spanish boat in which there were 80 militiamen and several women and children from Gijon. They were found drifting 80 miles from the coast. LAUNCH FOUND BY WARSHIP (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 25. It is learned in London that H.M.S. Southampton picked up about 20 miles north of Santander a launch containing between' 30 and 40 refugees from Gijon, who had presumably been at sea.since Thursday, when the town was captured. REBEL NEXT MOVE LONDON, Oct. 25. What will be General Franco's next move? Rome, whose previous forecasts have been fairly accurate, says it will be an attack against the Government forces in Aragon, and the insurgents will push on to the French frontier, thus cutting off the Government from France. When this has been done General Franco will not be in fear of France opening the frontier. Bayonne reports that thousands of refugees from Gijon and elsewhere are still arriving in French ports. Many are wounded. All the hospitals along coast are full. Salamanca announces the capture by the Almirante Cervera of two ships carrying 150 Asturian personalities in the direction of the French coast. REBEL PLANES SHOT DOWN VALENCIA, Oct. 25. Government planes brought down two three-engined planes near Barcelona. One fell into the sea and the other on land. The latter's crew of five were dead. Documents show they were all Italians. THOUSANDS DROWNED LONDON, Oct. 26. (Received Oct. 26, ,at 11.55 p.m.) Nearly 5000 refugees from Gijon are believed to have been drowned. Hundreds leaped into tiny fishing craft, some of which foundered, and others were drowned while trying to swim to boats.