REBELS NEARING MADRID

Southland Times, Issue 23024, 19 October 1936, Page 7

REBELS NEARING MADRID

Cannonade Heard In Capital

LOYALISTS FALLING BACK ROADS AND BRIDGES BLOWN UP (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) London, October 17. Assisted by good railway and road communications, the Spanish insurgents are pressing their attack on Madrid from the north-west. The noise of their cannonade can be heard in Madrid, whence the smoke of their shells is visible.

The Government claims to have brought down three rebel bombers, and also to have beaten off the attack at some points.

Meanwhile, thousands of children are being evacuated from Madrid and the neighbouring districts to the port of Valencia.

Aided by planes, tanks and artillery the rebels are continuing their advance towards Madrid from the west, while the Government troops are falling back on a 35-mile front, covering their retreat. by blowing up roads and bridges. Determined charges by Moorish, cavalry are a big factor in the rebels’ successes. General Mola’s forces are now menacing the Escorial, the royal palace near the capital. The Prime Minister (Senor Largo Caballero) has assumed the position of “supreme chief” of the armed forces and is virtually a military dictator. , After the curfew in Madrid the city s grim silence is broken by occasional outbursts of rifle-fire from the sentries, who jump at shadows. The police visit the houses during the night, investigating to identify the occupants. The number of political prisoners is still increasing. It is reported that 2000 arrests have been made in four days. Meat, sugar and butter are scarce. Despite the rebels’ advance the Government declares that the city can be successfully defended. AUSTRALIAN NURSES FOR SPAIN SERVICES OFFERED TO LOYALISTS. (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Sydney, October 18. Four young Sydney nurses leave for Spain on October 24 to place their services at the disposal of the Spanish Government. The first unit to leave Australia, they volunteered to go to the front, where they will join a British Red Cross unit. The trip is sponsored by the Spanish Relief Committee in Sydney.