SURPRISE PUSH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19694, 28 July 1938, Page 5

SURPRISE PUSH

LOYALISTS IN SPAIN

FRONT OF 90 MILES

BRITISH SHIP ATTACKED

TOLL OF LIFE CHECKED

(E)ec. Tel. Copyright—United Pfeas Assn.)

(Reed. July 28, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 27.

A message from Barcelona says that the Loyalists, carrying out a surprise attack in order to create a diversion on the Catalcnian front, crossed the Ebro River at 11 points on a 90-mile front and advanced beyond Gandesa, the key town to the Tarragona area. The Loyalists captured '2500 rebels and took Corbera Villalba.

The rebels, who minimise the importance of the attack, are rushing troops from Lerida and Balaguer. Four Junker planes Tarragona, killing five persons and -wounding 21.'

A Madrid message states that General Franco's planes bombed and sunk the British ship Dellwyn, or Bellwyn, in Gandia harbour. The ship carried a cargo of coal. The ship was bombed and machinegunned and set on fire. Four persons were injured.

Speaking .in the House of Commons yesterday, the Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, announced that General Franco had agreed to an investigation by two naval reDresentatives of the bombing of British ships, General Franco agreeing to pay compensation if ihe attacks were reported as deliberate.

A carefully-checked report received by the Trades Union Council headquarters reveals that since the outbreak of civil war in Spain the rebels have executed nearly 14,000 Basques, 10,000 without trial, have imprisoned 30,000, have sent 300,000 to concentration camps, have deprived 50,000 of civil rights, and driven 120,000 from the country.