RIOTING IN SPAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 7

RIOTING IN SPAIN

RUMOUR CAUSES TROUBLE MANY BUILDINGS BURNT POLICE MAKE ARRESTS [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] MADRID. May 4. Following rumours that several children of workers had died as a result of poisoned sweets given by Fascists or, according to another version, by nuns, many workers struck. Mobs set dire to six churches, five convents, two schools, and the houses of a parish priest and municipal councillors in three suburbs of the so-called “Red belt” of Madrid. An incendiary fell Into a church he had assisted to burn and was severely injured. A woman, allegedly disguised as a nun, accused of distributing sweets, was beaten to unconsciousness. A youth, intervening, was assaulted. The police arrested four people for spreading reports of poisoning, of which the Police Chief broadcast a denial. The authorities made an effort to suppress the rumour 0/ handbills, but the distributors of the bills were manhandled. Thirty people wore injured in rioting, which the police and storm guards, assisted by a tank, quelled. Senor Salvador, Minister for the Interior, in a statement, denounced the rumour as’ the work of ag'tators, declaring his readiness to take energetic measures to end “collective madness.” Strikes elsewhere are handicapping the Government. Seventy-four ships are at a standstill at Barcelona and other ports. There is a general strike at Malaga in sympathy with the peasants’ demanding better conditions. Forty People Injured Forty people were injured when the train staffs supporting the strike of porters refused to work the MadridAlicante line. Several people were injured in rioting at Calatayud, after which the workers struck and looted the Fascist headquarters and burned the furniture. The Socialist municipality resigned, because the Governor ordered the Civil Guards to restore order.