REBEL DRIVE ON VALENCIA

Southland Times, Issue 23540, 21 June 1938, Page 7

REBEL DRIVE ON VALENCIA

Warning To Foreign Shipping BARCELONA HEAVILY BOMBED AMERICAN STEAMER HIT ON SUNDAY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 20, 7.40 p.m,) LONDON, June 20. The rebel offensive against Valencia, seat of the Spanish Government, is in full swing, says a message from Saragossa. The principal arena is the Villareal sector.

The Galician Army Corps claims that 12.000 loyalist prisoners were taken in the past week. The threat of further bombing of foreign ships in Republican ports was made by General Franco’s Minister for the Interior.

“Pirate ships carrying contraband are extending their radius of action to Africa and are transporting contraband to Alicante and Cartagena,” said . the rebel Minister. “Our sea and air forces will destroy them where ever they are found.” Deafening explosions shook Barcelona early this morning. Insurgent bombers raided the city; the damage is not yet known. It is revealed that dining. the raids yesterday die American steamer Wisconsin was hit on the bridge and the port deck. The interior was wrecked, and it will be necessary to tow her from port. There were no casualties. Rebel aeroplanes bombed Barcelona three times yesterday, killing 30 persons and wounding 25. The rebel headquarters at Saragossa claims the success of the rebels’ bombing efforts. The rebels assert that large stores of petrol have been burning all week and that traffic has been suspended for a fortnight in Valencia harbour which is obstructed by sunken vessels, two of which are at the harbour mouth. The mole at Alicante harbour has been bisected and a munitions factory and powder magazine destroyed, also the railway stations at Mediodia and Murcia. BRITAIN INSISTS ON ITALIAN EXODUS REPORTED REJECTION OF ROME’S REQUEST (Received June 20, 9.15 p.m.) ' LONDON, June 20. The Daily Telegraph says that the British Cabinet has rejected the Italian request for ratification of the AngloItalian Pact without awaiting the withdrawal of Italian “volunteers” from Spain.