FURIOUS ATTACKS ON MADRID

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20896, 27 November 1937, Page 17

FURIOUS ATTACKS ON MADRID

GENERAL FRANCO’S PLANS ENORMOUS DAMAGE TO CITY LOYALIST REPRISALS CARRIED OUT United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapb—Copyright MADRID, November 25. General Franco's long-awaited onslaught in a final effort to capture the city is believed to have begun with a furious overnight shelling which was the most intense of any since th beginning of the civil war. It was an obviously desperate attempt to shake the Republican troops’ positions and break the morale of the remaintag civilians. There is no exact reports of the casualties, but it is believed that hundreds were killed or wounded. There would have been greater havoc but for the fact that the people were mostly at home when the bombardment began and took refuge in cellars. The damage to property is reported to be enormous. Whole streets were ruined. A Government communique says that the city’s batteries replied to the Rebel bombardment. The Republicans anticipated the blowing up of a Rebel mine in University City and fired a countermine, wrecking a wing of the building. Reprisals Carried Out Insurgent advance parties were repulsed on the western outskirts, and the southern sector. Barcelona reports heavy Insurgent air raiding and the bombing of Rebel towns as a reprisal. A later message from Madrid reports that the Insurgents have ruthlessly bombed Guadalajarra, causing great destruction of buildings and civilian life. The Italians are reported to be massing at Guadalajarra to avenge the rout of last March. RUMOURS OF ARMISTICE DENIAL BY LOYALIST GENERAL United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 27, 1.30 a.m.) MADRID, November 26. General Miaja denying the rumours that the Government was negotiating an armistice said: "‘I am firmly resolved to fight for a definite victory. I will never negotiate with those who permitted foreigners to Invade Spain. Our motto Is: Spain for Spaniards; expel the invader.”

GENERAL FRANCO’S REPLY INTERPRETATION INVITED United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapb—Copyright (Received November 26, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, November 26. In General Franco's reply he asks what is meant by "substantial withdrawal?” He also asks to what extent belligerent rights will be granted after such withdrawal? General Franco also claims that by addressing the communication direct to him the Committee “recognised" him as a sovereign ruler. REBELS TO PAY DAMAGE TO WARSHIP BIG SUM REQUIRED FOR COMPENSATION British Official Wireless RUGBY, November 25. Speaking in the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary (Mr Anthony Fden) said that no British ships were at present held by the Salamanca authorities. The cost of the damage to the warship Hunter, for which Britain holds the insurgent authorities responsible, would be in the region of £124,000. A capital sum of about £10,500 would also be required for compensation for the dependents of the men killed or injured in the explosion. APPOINTMENT ACCEPTED DUKE OF ALBA TO BE FRANCO’S AGENT IN BRITAIN United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 26, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 25. The British Government has accepted the appointment of the Duke of Alba as General Franco’s chief agent in London.