FORTRESS BLOWN UP

Southland Times, Issue 23000, 21 September 1936, Page 7

FORTRESS BLOWN UP

SPANISH REBEL STRONGHOLD

SURVIVORS STILL HOLD OUT REFUSAL TO SURRENDER (United Press Assn.-r-Telegraph Copyright.) Madrid, September 18. .The loyalist attackers, after a siege of nine weeks, exploded a mine and destroyed the insurgents’ stronghold at the Alcazar (Moorish castle fortress) at Toledo. Incredible though it seems, the survivors of the shattered Alcazar still held out, and forced the Government forces to retire in the face of withering rifle and machine-gun fire. The death-roll of the devastating explosion will probably never be known and must be considerable, but the spirit of the desperate defenders remains unbroken. The occupants of the fortress are believed to have numbered between 1200 and 1400.

They were given repeated chances to surrender or to send out the women and children, but the only, reply from the commander was: “We die together!” The terrific explosions shook the whole city of Toledo and windows were shattered throughout the city. Masonry, rifles, machine-guns and mutilated bodies were thrown up from the fortress and a cloud of dust and smoke rose in the sky as the debris rattled down on the tragic scene. Wireless reports from Teneriffe state that the crews of Government warships at Malaga fought among themselves with a resultant heavy death-roll. The loyalists triumphed and returned to the ships in the harbour. A message from Gibraltar says that H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth and the destroyer Anthony have hurriedly left for Malaga, following reports of street fighting and buildings being set on fire. A message from St. Jean de Luz (France) states that all British subjects who desired to leave Bilbao have now been evacuated. They were taken either to St. Jean de Luz or to Bordeaux. The British Consul at Bilbao and the Consulate staff arrived at St. Jean de Luz this afternoon on board H.M.S. Exmouth. Seventy British subjects preferred to remain at Bilbao for business reasons. Bilbao is reported, though calm, to be in hourly expectation of an insurgent attack.

LOYALISTS RESUME ATTACK DEFENDERS THREATENED WITH INCINERATION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) Madrid, September 19. The loyalist attack on the alcazar at Toledo has been savagely resumed. The defenders are doggedly maintaining possession of the shapeless mass of granite which was once a magnificent citadel. The Government accounts for its failure to subdue the alcazar by stating that the principal mine failed to explode. The besiegers now intend to employ hoses to drench the citadel with petrol, and they will then ignite it, forcing the occupants.to choose between surrender and incineration. INFLUENCE OF THE RED CROSS AGREEMENT BY BOTH SIDES. (United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright.) Paris, September 18. The humanizing influence of the Red Cross is being introduced by agreement on both sides in Spain, which will undertake to respect the Geneva Red Cross Convention and agree to a reciprocal basis for the evacuation of women and children. SPANISH CONSUL LEAVES CAPE TOWN REBEL SYMPATHIZER. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) ’ Cape Town, September 18. The Spanish Consul, before sailing for Burgos (the rebel headquarters), explained that he was a nationalist, or rebel, and that when the Communists were’ defeated and Spain’s troubles were over he would return to South Africa.