AFTER FIVE WEEKS OF CIVIL WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20504, 24 August 1936, Page 7

AFTER FIVE WEEKS OF CIVIL WAR

NEITHER SIDE ENTITLE TO BOAST MERCILESS CAMPAIGN IN PROGRESS Onlted Press Association —Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 23, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 23. Correspondents of the English Press summing up the Spanish situation consider that after five weeks of fighting, neither side can be said to be winning. “The Manchester Guardian” considers that the rebels are beginning to feel the lack of men, and there are signs of apparent disunity among the rebel leaders. General Franco, General Dellano and General Mola are all aspiring to the supreme command. The Government forces do not lack manpower and determination, but they lack training and ammunition. Duration of War The Madrid correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says: The Spanish Prime Minister, Senor Giril Pereira, in an interview, said: “Nobody can say how long the civil war will last, owing to many factors. It is believed that within fifteen or twenty days we shall see decisive developments, but guerilla warfare may continue for weeks, or even months.” Questioned whether the militia had readily surrendered their arms, M. Giral replied: “There is no need for this. They will continue to form the provisional army, which is necessary,, while we are completely reorganising our former army.” Bitter Struggle Ahead The Madrid correspondent of “The Times” says: “Despite the capital’s relative tranquillity, the knowledge that they are facing a long, bitter struggle, combined with the departure of foreigners, has increased the depression of the inhabitants, many of whom are facing ruin, and are unable to leave owing to passport and money difficulties. Food is fairly plentiful. Newspapers are limited to four pages, owing to the insurgents capturing the paper mills. Moreover there is little to print but speeches and communiques. Three special prisons are crammed with over 2500 officers, Monarchists and Fascists, including nine generals, and hundreds of priests, many of whom lived in palaces and fashionable homes, and are now in prison or in hiding, their residences occupied by various partisans, raising the question of who will pay the future rates and taxes thereon. A great prize was the house of the millionaire, Senor Juan March, to which the occupants invite passing comrades to enjoy a shower bath in a silver bathroom. A Seville message states that General Dellano says the rebels will not accept any proposals of foreign mediation, and mean to fight to a finish. An Irun message states that the Government claims to have recaptured all positions lost during the past two days.