SPANISH REVOLT

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1930, Page 7

SPANISH REVOLT

REAL POSITION OBSCURE If IMS- '.l.' ’ ' GOVERNMENT CLAIMS SAFETY \ MADRID REBELS UOLLAPSE ; STRIKE IN THE PROVINCES. < FIREBRAND LEADER LEAVES 1. >. By T^lefcraph— Press Assn.—Copyright, . London, Dee. 15. Unofficial telegrams dealing with.' the Spanish revolution, chiefly.. from border towns, naturally exaggerate the seri- ’ ■ ousriess of the, crisis. On the contrary, official messages claim that the revolution is already practically crushed, that the general strike is sporadic and. that the populace is Standing by the Goverhment. . ,

The ascertained facts are that, following up the disastrous Jaca rising, the firebrand Franco flew to Madrid and ' raiecd the standard of revolt at Quentroe Vinetos, just outside the capital. The rebellion was begun by six aeroplanes with red wings flying over Madrid'eiriy in. the morning and dropping leaflets. When troops and workmen arrived at the aerodrome at 8 o’clock they found 500 rebel officers and soldiers in\ occupation. . They announced that a republic had been declared and told the troops and workers that they would be ehot unless they joined the revolution.

Most of the men joined and helped the rebels to force the doors of a powder houae snd load; lorries with bombs and \ ammunition in readiness for the ex- . . pected attack by loyalist troojjs from . Madrid. Meanwhile the mutineers seized . ' the Government wireless station near the aerodrome; and sent but messages ' • to the world of the proclamation of .a republic. y' ’ ' ■;..\ ■ v . EXCITJSMENT AT MADRID.

There was much excitement at Madrid, but the Government. acted with . refreshing, resolution and confidence. The / Leon infantry numbering 2000, quickly arrived outside the aerodrome with drawn bayonet* and machine and other gunners, and opened fire, dropping 106 shells into the hangars so effectively that the rebels realised their hopelossnessj raised the white flag and eurren- ' doted, though a number of rebels: dis* parsed into open country and were pursued by hussars. Meanwhile the situation in Madrid was unexpectedly secure for the Government. There was no general strike ih/the city, the leaders :indstly fearing arrest, but 200 suspects were, quickly giioled, including the leaders Maura and ■.Zamora. 7' Meanwhile Franco, General Llano and Captain Rada had made an ajr survey ! of Madrid, but, realising that there was no general rising bi? atrike flew Off northwards with the Government mach- . .Irinin pursuit. General Bcrcnguer states that no merdy will .be shown the rebel aviators arid that the sentences‘of the military, tribunal will be carried out inexorably. ThO situation in the provinces is. far less satisfactory than, in the capital. A general strike is. in full force in many centres, particularly at the fashionable seaside resort of San Sebastian. Here extremists rushed Government House after shooting two policemen and a cyclist who obstructed their progress. 'The Civic Guard dispersed the insurgents, killing several. However,'all the ? factories are closed and traffic is paralysed. '. • _ Twenty were killed in.street fighting ? qn the Franco-Spanish bof- <! No trams or taxis are operating. The mail services are generally suspended throughout Spain,\ postal workers re- . fusing to handle the mails. . Two military planes flying over Madrid dropped proclamations declaring that a revolution had broken out, supported by the army. The authorities regard ■ the leaflets ae a bluff. 411 is normal in Madrid. There is a . well authenticated report, however, that the Air Corps Martial law has beendeclared m the central regions. Rebfl /airmen, from Cuatro Vientos surrendered. ' Telephone communication with Madrid has broken down. Alfter message says that though the s trade union leaders called a general strike throughout the country only Bilbao is at present affected. Madrid is normal, but the military guard at the King’s Palace has- been doubled in strength. Le Journal, Paris, says the firing squad appointed to carry out the .executions at Jaca was chosen from a regiment whose loyalty was momentarily suspected* The officers died bravely, the loyalist soldiers crying “Long Live ?' Spain!’* as the' condemned men fell. FRANCO HELD IN PORTUGAL. SEVERAL CITIES REPORTED QUIET -Ree. 5.5 p.m.,,- ? London, Dec. 16. Franco and other rebel leaders have landed in Portugal. Franco and his companions have been detained at Mafra pending further instructions from the Portuguese Minister of War. Later reports direct from Barcelona, San Sebastian and Bilbao state that the situation is quiet.