DAYS OF TERROR IN SPAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20611, 28 December 1936, Page 7

DAYS OF TERROR IN SPAIN

CHRISTMAS DAY AIR ATTACK REBEL BOMBARDMENT RENEWED United Press Association—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 27, 7.30 p.m.) MADRID, December 26. Instead of a day of peace and good will, Christmas Day was one of terror for Madrid residents. The insurgents renewed the bombardment which started in the morning. Shells hit the telephone building thrice, and others fell at important ponts. Christmas Festivities Christmas Day proved very grim for the population of Madrid, wiio awoke to the sound of gunfire. The rebel batteries opened a heavy bombardment north of the city at daybreak, and Government artillery replied. The Government ordered that Christmas should not be observed as a holiday, and consequently the population is carrying out customary tasks. INSURGENTS RENEWED ACTIVITY MANY POINTS ATTACKED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph -Copyright AVILA, December 25. An insurgent communique states that Government troops bombed Merida and Badajoz; 25 were killed and 48 wounded. GERMAN STEAMER SEIZED SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS FEARED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 27, 7.30 p.m.) BERLIN, December 27. An official announcement says: “Spanish Government warships confiscated the German steamer Palos, belonging to the Oldenburg Portuguese Company, outside Spanish territorial waters, in the neighbourhood of Bilbao. The Palos, which was en route from Hamburg to Spanish harbours has been taken to Bilbao. The cargo, according to reliable evidence, consisted of neither direct nor indirect war material. The necessary measures for the release of the steamer have been begun. It is expected that before these are enforced the Reds will release the steamer with its cargo intact, and the three passengers. German Warships on the Move It is believed that German warships are proceeding at full speed to Bilbao. Nazi spokesmen agree that the dispatch of warships makes a demonstration a most likely step. If the Palos is surrendered intact the affair may pass off without incident, but if the Reds harm the vessel or the people abroad, the situation may be very grave. Allegations of Contraband The Palos is a vessel of 977 tons. According to a Spanish report the cargo, which is contraband for the insurgents, is now being unloaded at Bilbao. GERMAN RESENTMENT SHARP ULTIMATUM ISSUED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 27, 6.30 p.m.) BERLIN, December 26. Germany has issued an ultimatum to the Spanish Government demanding the release of the German freighter Palos, seized outside Spanish waters, although the cargo allegedly does not contain war materials. Germany threatens reprisals if the demand is ignored.

FOREIGN SHIPPING IN PERIL ACTIVE SPANISH PATROL SERVICE United Press Association—By Electric Tel egra p h —Cop v rl gn t (Received December 27, 7.30 p.m.) CASABLANCA, December 27. A French banana boat going to Dakar reports that a Spanish patrol boat fired three warning shots and ordered her to stop in the neighbourhood of Point Carnero. “We signalled our name and lit up our flag and refused to stop, and continued our voyage.”