REBELS’ RUTHLESS METHODS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20509, 29 August 1936, Page 17

REBELS’ RUTHLESS METHODS

DELETE THE WORD “ PITY ” DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES CONCERNED FAILURE OF ATTACKS ON ' IRUN United Press Association— B- EJecuic Telegraph—Copyrlgl-t (Received August 28, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 27. General Dellano (Deputy Leader of the Rebels), broadcasting from Seville, said: “I have just given orders that five members of families of Marxists shall be shot for every one shot by their side. We shall delete the word ‘pity’ from the dictionary.” APPEAL TO COMBATANTS ATTEMPT TO MITIGATE SPAIN’S SUFFERING British Official Wireless RUGBY, August 27 A recent metting of diplomatic representatives to Spain on the FrancoSpanish border, at which it was proposed that an appeal should be made to the contending forces in the Spanish civil war on humanitarian grounds, to mitigate suffering as far as possible, is the subject of a telegram to the British Ambassador from Mr Anthony Eden. It points out that the proposal is one the Government already had in mind, and which has the strongest support. The internal politics of Spain are the concern of the Spanish people, but the mitigation of suffering is the concern of all. “The apparent refusal to take prisoners, and the consequent mass execution of those who are captured or who surrender, and reprisals for such acts and the increasing barbarities to which reprisals Inevitably lead, are matters to which civilised States cannot be indifferent. I understand it to be proposed that the diplomatic representatives should co-operate in the formation of a scheme of approach to the leaders of both sides. In any such approach the Government will be ready and anxious to share. Moreover, it is their urgent desire to play a full part in any organised international effort, such as will, it is hoped, result from this approach.”

BATTLE FOR IRUN LOYALISTS CLAIM SUCCESSES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, August 27. After a day of spasmodic fighting, the rebels again failed to capture Irun, but important reinforcements are repoted to be arriving from Pamplona, In several places the rebels were driven back several hundred yards from points to which they advanced yesterday. Loyalist artillery maintained an effective barrage. The marksmanship was good. It is reputably reported to be directed by a Frenchman. The insurgent artillery was silenced and appears to have been withdrawn. The garrison of Puntza directed heavy fire against the infantry that were climbing the steep slopes through the maize fields. Severe casualties wore inflicted. Rival Claims A rebel warship, the Espana or the Almirante Cervera, has begun the bombardment of Fort Guadaloupe. The activity of loyalist aircraft is increasing in the north and elsewhere. Two rebel ’planes were shot down at Malaga. The loyalists are reported to have made progress on the slopes of Coldeleon, on the Guadarrama front. Rebels claim to have routed 6000 Catalians near Saragossa and driven the last loyalist column which landed at Majorca into the sea. A message says that rebel broadcasts claim the capture of Malaga, and also that they wiped out 6000 loyalists in the Aragon sector. CONTROL OF LOYAL FORCES ATTACK ON IRUN AGAIN FAILS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright MADRID. August 27. The centralised command of all Government forces has been completed. It will ensure a more co-ordinated campaign. The latest indications are that the attack on Irun failed again. The Government claims to have brought down a plane, which unsuccessfully attempted a bombing raid. Appeal to Foreigners Sir Ogilvie Forbes (British representative) appealed to the British colony to .send the women and children to England while evacuation facilities were available. He said: “This is not a hotel. The British taxpayer fots the bill and no food will be given to those wantonly refusing to leave.” FIGHTING CONTINUES AT IRUN REBELS MAKE NO ADVANCES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 29, 12.20 a.m.) MADRID, August 28. Fighting continued on the Irun front early this morning, but as yet the rebels have not shown any signs of making a big attack. The Government broadcast, more than usually confident, claims that the insurgents had been driven back in the province of Leon and have suffered heavy losses at Asturias, and in the vicinity of Oviedo, to which three insurgent columns are marching. A rebel

bomber flew over Madrid in the early hours of the morning, but dropped no bombs. FEARS OF STARVATION OF CAPITAL SORRY PLIGHT OF COUNTRY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 29, 12.20 a.m.) MADRID, August 28. The Casablanca correspondent of “The Times” cites the opinion of a competent French observer who made a hazardous journey on foot in the centre of Spain, that the Government would be defeated by famine. The large farmers are either fighting or on patrol work. Cattle have been slaughtered in many areas and nothing sown. Crops have been abandoned. The country round Madrid has been stripped bare, and if the railway to Valencia is cut, the capital will quickly starve.