ITALIANS JUBILANT

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13641, 27 August 1937, Page 5

ITALIANS JUBILANT

AT SANTANDER’S FALL. REVOLT BY CIVIL GUARDS. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 26. A revolt by the Civil Guards, police Carabmieres, and part of the civilian population hastened Santander’s fall, says the Morning Post’s Santander correspondent. They took charge of public buildings and imprisoned the remaining Government officials. Those resisting were shot out of hand. A body of civilians then marched out, carrying a white flag, and invited General Davila, commanding the insurgents’ northern army, to enter. Many political leaders, militia officers and others were caught trying to escape to Asturias. Insurgent naval units are closely guarding the entrance to Santander harbour to prevent fuither escapes by sea. The Daily Mail’s Rome correspondent says the tail of Santander is hailed throughout Italy as an Italian triumph. The newspapers emphasise that Italian legionnaries took a leading role. Tine capture of Santander is celebrated as an Italian victory. Blackshirts demonstrated all night Jong, ' while cafes were bedecked with flags. The newspapers declare: “The victorious Blackshirts deserve well of Italy.” The Times’ correspondent at St. Jean de Luz says that the Basque militia.* numbering about 10.000 has been withdrawn from Santander to Santooa intending to hold xhe territory between Santona and Castro Urdiales against both the nationalists and the Valencia Government. They are well supplied with arms and food and are determined to right to the last unless they can arrange acceptable terms. The 1 lines’ correspondent at St. Jean de Luz says that the British flotilla Reader Keith did not pick up President Aguirre when it visited Santander. Sen or Aguirre, with the Basque Minister of Finance and Justice, travelled to France by air shortly before the insurgents reached the outskirts of Santander. The Keith found only eight hostages. The other nine escaped by motor-boat and are reported to have reached Bayonne. The Keith also picked up 28 Basques, most of whom had been guarding hostages. Shots were fired as the Keith left, but the vessel was not hit. REBELS FIRE AT REFUGEES. ST. JEAN DE LUZ. Aug. 25. Tlie insurgents entered Santander in the evening after the “Fifth Column’ ’ had risen against the authorities and seized control after fierce street fighting. Hundreds of refugees have fled to France in all conceivable craft.

A radio message states that two rebel battalions have entered Santander. Ihe main body will enter tomorrow.

British refugees who arrived at St. Jean de Luz aboaid the destroyer Keith state that Santander lias been without water for several days There was no light or civil organisation, and there has been looting pillaging, indiscriminate shooting, sheet* anarchy and horror.

Hundreds of fishing-boats and trawlers sailed with men. women and children fighting for places aboard Meanwhile, the “Fifth Column” opened fire on the struggling masses. Fou»- Britons stole- a rudderless boat and pushed off under fire. They puddled in the darkness for three hours until rescued by the Keith. WARNING FROM TURKEY*. ISTANBUL. August 26 Tho Turkish Government has informed the Powers that any foreign submarine in I urkish waters refusing to answer a challenge will he blown up. ANOTHER BRITISH SHIP BOMBED. AT HENS. August 36 A ’plane of unknown, naiionnlitv bombed the British tanker Romford near Barcelona. No damage was done.