LOYALISTS FIGHT BACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21001, 1 April 1938, Page 9

LOYALISTS FIGHT BACK

STERN STRUGGLE IN SPAIN REPORTED STIFFENING OF RESISTANCE REBEL ADVANCE INTO CATALAN United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 31, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 31. “The Moroccans fought their way to within two miles of Lerida, where heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from the outskirts checked the advance," says the Fraga correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph." There is a noticeable stiffening of the republican resistance and planes are being more active in supporting the infantry says “The Tinies” correspondent at Hendaye. Insurgents Advance The insurgents are ‘pushing their advance in other sectors. The Nacarre brigade captured the villages of Maella and Fabra 13 miles east of Gaspe. Later they entered Tie Catalan province of Tarragona, three miles east of Maella. Government troops are reported to be retreating at Gandesa and Seville. The republicans claim that their offensives south of Guadalquivir, in which a cavalry charge followed extensive bombardment and aerial bombing, drove the insurgents from important positions in the border provinces of Coroboda and Jaen. FUTURE OF SPAIN ITALO-GERMAN ATTITUDE United Press itlon—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, March 30. Bearing in mind that the British Government has received assurances that Italy has no territorial designs on Spain, is it not desirable to obtain similar assurances from Germany asked Major J. Milner (Labour) in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) replied that they have been given. APPEAL FOR DEFENDERS STRONG DEFENSIVE ACTIVITIES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright BARCELONA, March 30. The Popular Front, the Women's Anti-Fascist Committees and Trade and Senor Del Vayo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, have all appealed for another 200,000 workers, who are not afraid to die for their country. Senor Del Vayo has been appointed Spanish Ambassador in Moscow. FLIGHT OVER FRANCE REBEL ’PLANES FIRED ON United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright PERPIGNAN, March 30. French anti-aircraft gunners fired on Insurgent aeroplanes returning along the French frontier after bombing Port Bou. The 'planes flew along the railway linking Port Bou and Perpignan, the French firing as they passed over Collioure station. Heavy damage was done at Port Bou where trains were waiting to take provisions and supplies south. INSURGENTS HELD RESPONSIBLE BOMBING OF STANWALL DELIBERATE ATTACK MADE British Official Wireless (Received March 31, 6.30 p.m.) RGBY, March 30. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler) informed the House of Commons that the Government had completed its inquiries ' 'o the bombing of the British steamer Staiiwall on March 15, and after careful consideration of all the evidence it had come to the conclusion that the vessel was the object of a deliberate attack. The British agent at Burgos had accordingly been instructed to inform the Nationalist authorities to this effect, and to enter a strong protest against the attack, which the British Government must regard as entirely unjustifiable and for which It must hold those authorities responsibilities. The British agent had further been instructed to demand an immediate investigation into the incident and to reserve the right of the British Government to claim, in due course, full compensation for the damage to persons and property resulting from the attack.