LAWLESS MOBS IN SPAIN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18875, 13 May 1931, Page 9

LAWLESS MOBS IN SPAIN.

Church Property Destroyed VATICAN’S STRONG PROTEST. UnltecJ Pres» Association —By dectno Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 12, 7,30 p.m.) ROME, May 11. It is reliably stated that the Vatican, through the Papal Nuncio at Madrid, is strongly protesting to-day against the destruction of church property, and will demand a declaration of condemnation of those responsible. It is believed that continuance of relations between the Vatican and the Republic will depend upon the answer. A Madrid message states that the Chief of the Police reports that out of 170 convents in Madrid, seven were burned and seven rescued in a timely manner from the incendiaries. The institutions destroyed include Christian Brothers’ schools and two asylums where the nuns received and prepared destitute girls for demostic service, resulting in 500 being rendered homeless. MARTIAL LAW IN MADRID. CATHOLIC PROPERTIES BURNED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright MADRID, May 11. Martial law has been proclaimed. General Berenguer has been rearrested at the orders of the Cabinet, which dismissed the Supreme Army Council for releasing him. A deputation on behalf of a mob asked the Cabinet to shoot General Berenguer and dismiss Senor Maura. The atmosphere at Madrid is electrical, and there are fears of greater disturbances. An angry mob fired two convents, and is now marching on a third. Others are preventing firemen extinguishing the flames. The Trade Unionists’ efforts to persuade workers to resume were only partially successful. The tramways and underground railway, which were idle in the morning, resumed in the afternoon, but the factories are closed. Mobs are pouring Into the city. There are numerous military patrols in the streets. Further firing was heard this afternoon. The riots are attributed to Communist incitement in ridiculing the revolution, which has not improved the workers' position. A mob fired the Jesuit headquarters and watched the building bum. REIGN OF DISCORD. LAWLESSNESS OF MOBS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright MADRID, May 11. While mobs were burning convents and churches, and demonstrators processioning outside the Ministry of the Interior, demanding the shooting of General Berenguer and the disarming of the Civil Guard, the Cabinet sat throughout the day, devising measures to restore order. Believing that the disturbances originated out of resentment at General Berenguer’s liberation, the Cabinet has ordered his re-arrest, and the dismissal of the military tribunal which refused the demand for his prosecution. General Berenguer was placed in a military prison. To-night it was officially announced that ten churches and convents had been burned. The most serious event was the burning of the Jesuit headquarters and the industrial school. Shots were fired from buildings and two rioters were seriously wounded. Crowds throughout the city watched spectacular blazes. The garrison has been heavily reinforced, and the Civil Guards are occupying stragetic points, while tanks have been posted at the Bank of Spain. The city is calming down, and shops re-opened in the evening. The rioting apparently did not surprise the Jesuits, who reported that their valuables were sent to Rome and other centres months ago. Though five convents were destroyed, nobody was burned, no valuables were stolen, and there was no looting.