FIGHTING FOR LIFE

Southland Times, Issue 22948, 22 July 1936, Page 5

FIGHTING FOR LIFE

. THE SPANISH REPUBLIC Rebels Repulsed LOYALISTS HOLD MADRID Desperate Conflict (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, July 20. That the Spanish Government is fighting for its life is indicated by the ordering to mobilization of all loyalists under the age of 30. The Government gained control of Madrid after three hours’ desperate fighting, in which the rebels in possession of the Maria Cristina Montana barracks, under General Fanjul, were defeated after the officers had been deserted by many of their soldiers, who joined the Republican ranks. One thousand officers and men were arrested. The Tologa correspondent of The Daily Mail says that a formidable force of rebel infantry is reported to be encircling Madrid, where greatest alarm prevails. A battle, which may decide the destiny of Spain, is expected at any hour. The parade grotffids of the principal barracks are littered with dead and dying—the result of to-day’s fighting, which established the temporary supremacy of the Government Cities Held By Rebels. Cities still in the hands of the insurgents are Malaga (which is partly aflame), Salamanca, Santander, Seville, Cordoba, Saragossa and Valladolid. The issue hangs in the balance at Valencia and Bilbao. Both sides are savagely contending for Barcelona, the Manchester of Spain. Government aeroplanes, bombing the city, set fire to a church and a barracks. The Governor of Cadiz, aided by Civil Guards, maintains his resistance against the rebels. The Hendaye (France) correspondent ot The Daily Telegraph says that the garrison at Pamplona is marching to Madrid with heavy artillery. The Government has taken over the offices of the four principal Conservative newspapers and has placed them in the hands of staunch Republicans. Reports state that Government forces have retaken Seville and Malaga. Fighting is still proceeding at Cadiz, La Linea and the Canary Islands. The bodies of two colonels and 16 other officers were found after the fall of the Montana barracks. It is believed that they committed suicide. After insurgents had issued a manifesto from the Madrid “Aerodrome of the Four Winds,” demanding the resignation of Cabinet and the arrest of the Communist chiefs under pain of the aerial bombardment of the capital, loyalists occupied the aerodrome. Death of Sanjurgo. The Ministry of the Interior announces the death of the Monarchist leader, General Sanjurgo, in an air crash while he was flying to Spain from Portugal in order to participate in the revolution. It was reported earlier from Gibraltar that the rebels made great progress during the night and secured possession of many more towns, particularly on the southern peninsula. It is significant that they captured many aerodromes and now threaten to bomb Madrid from the air, failing the Government’s unconditional surrender within two hours. Listeners last night heard General Goded broadcast advice to the Barcelona rebels to follow his example and surrender. From the obscurity induced by the censorship and contradictory reports, the fact emerges that Spain is by no means free of the grip of civil war despite the activities of the civil population, which is now fully armed in support of the Government. Government admissions show that provinces hitherto deemed immune from invasion or insurrection had been plunged into the general whirlpool. 'The civil Government of Asturias, in the north, yielded to the rebels, who are also fiercely resisting the attacks of Government aircraft at Segovia. Jaca, which was regarded as the cradle of the republic, where the abortive revolt of the Leftists began in 1932, is in the mutineers’ hands. The Government assertion that the Navy is entirely loyal is discounted by the rebels having crossed to Spain from Morocco on board a destroyer given to them by naval officers. The Government has suspended all banking transactions throughout Spain for 48 hours and has declared a moratorium on all debts for the same period. No amount exceeding £55 can be withdrawn from the banks.

BARCELONA A SHAMBI.ES Over 2000 Killed STREETS SPATTERED WITH BLOOD ,United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.5 p.m.) Geneva, July 21. Spanish refugees affirm that between 2000 and 3000 were killed and wounded in Barcelona, where many churches are ablaze. The fiercest fighting occurred in the Place de Cataluna, where the carcasses of a dozen mules used to haul machine-guns remained yesterday morning, after Government places had been bombed by rebels. The refugees state that the streets are spattered with blood. There is a huge shell-hole in front of the Hotel Colon, tramway wires are hanging down, newspaper stands are wrecked and churches and buildings are destroyed or damaged.