UNREST IN SPAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 August 1939, Page 5

UNREST IN SPAIN

WHOLESALE ARRESTS OF CIVILIANS ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING GUERILLAS. TRIAL BEFORE MILITARY TRIBUNAL. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, August 8. An Independent Service message from Hendaye states that the secret police rounded up more than 1000 civilians in the weekend and accused them of supporting the 50.000 Republican guerillas who are still defying General Franco’s Civil Guards and troops in the Asturian mountains. The police arrested 258 persons in Gijon and 49 in Oviedo. All face a military tribunal on charges of aiding the enemy.

The remaining seven persons who were charged with plotting against Major Irurzun, including two women, have been garrotted. The execution had been delayed to allow the judges to decide on the method. Garrotting was ordered as being symbolic of the contemptible nature of the crime.

It was earlier officially announced in Madrid that 53 persons had been executed for alleged, conspiracy in connection with the murder of Major Irurzun, a police inspector. The arrest of the suspects brought to a climax reports of widespread political unrest, summary executions and shooting affrays between Monarchists and Falangists. SPANISH ROYALTIES LEAVING ROME DURING VISIT BY FRANCO. ROME, August 8. The exiled Spanish royal family, most of whom live in Italy, will be leaving Rome during General Franco’s visit. It is explained that, while there is no friction, embarrassing questions of precedence would arise if they remained.