ATTACK ON LERIDA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 April 1938, Page 7

ATTACK ON LERIDA

REPUBLICANS REINFORCED But Town Apparently Doomed. FRANCO MOVING UP HEAVY FORCES. (Received This Day, 10.5 April 3. The Republican resistance at Lerida has been strengthened by brigades from the Madrid front and international units. Artillery now supplements heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. Houses have been converted into fortresses and streets are criss-crossed with redoubts and trenches, from which the defenders fire unceasingly, but General Franco’s warplanes are causing heavy carnage. Rebel infantry charged and gained a footing in the first houses. The Republican position appears hopeless, as powerful rebel columns, approaching from the north-west, are likely to make an end of the resistance.

RETREAT FROM OUTSKIRTS.

RESISTANCE CONTINUING.

(Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) BARCELONA, April 3. A communique admits that the Republicans were forced to retreat from the outskirts of Lerida, but states that resistance is continuing. H.M.S. Hood has arrived at Barcelona REBEL REPORT. MOORS TAKE FIRST HOUSES. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) SALAMANCA, April 3. A communique announces the occupation of outlying houses at Lerida, and says Moorish troops took the first houses. ALLEGED SPYING. MEN AND WOMEN SENTENCED IN MADRID. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) z MADRID, April 3. Special courts, established to deal

with cases of spying, treasort and defeatism, condemned eight men and two women to from 6 to 30 years’ imprisonment.

REFUGEES IN FRANCE. MANY READY TO RETURN TO SPAIN. LUCHON (France), April 2. Six thousand refugee militiamen held a referendum under the auspices of the French authorities to decide whether to return to Republican Spain. The majority apparently affirmed their readiness to continue fighting, but signatures to a confirmatory document are necessary. A thousand subsequently went to Spain by train. According to a Barcelona message, it is officially announced that 4200 militiamen escaped to France and expressed a desire to return to Republican Spain.