APPREHENSIVE LULL

Wairarapa Age, 30 July 1936, Page 5

APPREHENSIVE LULL

IN SPANISH WAR THEATRES. PREPARATIONS FOR SUPREME EFFORT. TASKS FACING LOYALIST FORCES. LONDON, July 28. Apart from sporadic engagements, and preparation for others, what may be described as an apprehensive lull prevails in the Spanish theatres of war. The Government is steadily consolidating its resources for a supreme effort, and has authorised a special credit of £1,110,000 to expedite the suppression of the revolt. The subjugation of Saragossa is the greatest task facing the loyalists. To this end columns are steadily assembling and the air base at Lerida has been strengthened to fifteen aeroplanes. Three batteries of artillery have been dispatched to Lerida from Barcelona. The rebel commander at Saragossa, General Caballero, declares his ability to repel any attack. Nevertheless, on the balance the general situation undoubtedly favours the Government, while both sides are beginning to recognise that the struggle must be protracted far beyond the earlier estimates. SETBACKS FOR BEBELS. The triumph of the rebels at Oyarzun in the north was short-lived, the Republican militia from San Sebastian and Irun recapturing the village, which is strategically important, after a sharp fight introduced by field guns, for which ammunition is now plentiful The attack was consummated by a dashing bayonet charge and the rebels retreated to the mountains. This, with the surrender of the Loyola garrison at San Sebastian, clears the Guipuzco Province of insurgents and will release sufficient troops to enable a loyalist column to march on Vittoria, which is still in rebel hands. The defenders, apprehending a further attack, have placed the city in a complete state of defence. They have dug trenches and built barricades in every street, women occupying them side by side with men.

Summarising the situation it may be said that the Government is relying

on four strategic moves for early execution, namely, an assault on Saragossa, an advance against Seville, an attack on Cordoba, and a comprehensive effort in the Sierra Guadarrama, and Segovia. Not the least lucky of refugees whom the destroyer Gallant landed at Marseilles from Barcelona was William Lamb, of Nottingham, who was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for alleged complicity in murder and in which an appeal was pending. He walked out to liberty when all the prisons in Barcelona were opened. WARSHIPS AT GIBRALTAR. Lord Stanhope, replying to Lord Marely in the House of Lords regarding Spanish naval supplies, explained that six warships provisioned themselves at Gibraltar on July 22 and departed the same night. The question of fuelling therefore did not arise. The British Government would not interfere with Spanish transactions with private firms but, in view of rebel aeroplanes, under a misapprehension, bombing a British oil tanker on July 22, English oil firms were unlikely to seek Spanish orders. The British Navy’s oil would not be sold to any other Power. Thirteen Labour members of the House of Commons, including Miss Ellen Wilkinson, sent a telegram to the Spanish Government extolling the people’s heroic stand against Fascists and pledging themselves to do their utmost to rally British people to the Republican cause. Gil Robles, leader of the Catholic Party, semi-disguised, landed at Lisbon, whence he hopes to reach Madrid. A meagre assemblage, which did not include any Spaniards, watched him drive to a hotel after disclaiming any knowledge of current events in Spain. The Spanish cruiser Almirante Valdes has arrived at Cartagena, the loyalist crew having imprisoned the rebel officers.

A report from Casablanca states that , the morale of the rebel troops in Morocco is weatyning because they have not been paid since the revolt began. They have reminded their officers that they were regularly paid under the Government. GENERAL FRANCO’S BOAST. (Received Wednesday, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, July 29. The 4 4 News-Chronicle’s” Tangier correspondent interviewed General Franco at Tetuan. General Franco said he was determined to take Madrid and save Spain from Marxism at whatever cost. No European Power could afford to let Spain go Bed. CHURCHES & SCHOOLS SEIZED. BRITISH SUBJECTS SUPPLIED WITH ARMLETS. (Received Wednesday, 7.45 p.m.) MADRID, July 29. The Government has issued a decree ordering mayors to take possession of all church and school buildings within five days. All British subjects are being provided with armlets bearing their national colours and the words 4 4 British subject.”