SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Southland Times, Issue 22993, 12 September 1936, Page 7

SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Fighting Around Talavera BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORIES GOVERNMENT TROOPS ! ENCIRCLED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 1.5 a.m.) Madrid, September 11. Both sides in the Spanish civil war claim victories in the Talavera region, where the fighting is more important than on the Irun front, as it may prove the key to Madrid. A decisive victory would enable the insurgents to relieve Toledo and then strike across easy country to the capital. The rebels are taking care not to disclose the precise movements of their troops, but the general plan appears to be for an advance along the valleys of the Tagus River and along the Hilly ranges of the Sierra de Grcdos to the north. The Government troops are faced with an ever-tightening circle and are desperately striving to drive a wedge between the rebels on the Tagus and those operating south of Avila. No Gains Reported. So far the counter-attacks appear to have yielded nothing. For the second day in succession there has been no fighting around San Sebastian, although the town is now encircled by the rebels. This lull strengthens the report that a truce is in prospect. General Franco, commander-in-chief of the rebels, is still landing large numbers of Moors and Foreign Legionaries, with artillery and ammunition, from Morocco. NON-INTERVENTION POLICY BRITISH TRADES UNION CONGRESS. (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) London, September 10. By an overwhelming majority of 3,029,000 votes io 51,000, the Trades Union Congress rejected an amendment ; proposing intervention in the Spanish civil war. The congress decided to adopt a policy of non-intervention. It is expected that the second meeting of the International Committee for the application of the agreement providing for non-intervention in Spain will be summoned within the next few days. During the last few days the British Government has caused repeated urgent representations to be made to Lisbon about Portugal’s membership of the Committee of Application. The Portuguese Government is aware of the general character of the proceedings at yesterday’s meeting of the committee, at which it was not represented. ADVICE - ™":REMAIN NEUTRAL MR LYONS’S APPEAL TO PUBLIC OF AUSTRALIA. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.25 p.m.) Canberra, Sept. 11, The Australian Council of Trades Union has issued an appeal for funds to assist the Spanish Government. The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) advised the Australian public to remain neutral in the Spanish civil war. He added that the utmost discretion was necessary, as a dangerous international situation might arise.