EXTREMELY TENSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 174, 24 July 1936, Page 7

EXTREMELY TENSE

POSITION UNCERTAIN BRITISH WARSHIPS MOVING. [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, July 22. The situation in Spain continues extremely tense, although conflicting reports state that the actual position is still very obscure. British naval forces are engaged in aiding stranded nationals. H.M.S. Shamrock took off 25 British subjects and Americans from Malaga, which, although now quiet, suffered severely from lire. The submarine flotilla loader Douglas and three more destroyers left Malta for Spanish waters to-day, and other warships are in the neighbourhood of Spanish ports where there are British visitors or residents. The Spanish disorders were the übject in the House of Commons of a question, in reply to which Lord Granl borne said that, owing to ’’he stoppage of communications from most parts of Spain, it was still very difficult to obtain reliable information legarding the position. He was able Io give the House a list of British warI ships which have proceeded or were proceeding to Spanish ports with a view to the evacuation of British subjects, if necessary. Those included the I Shamrock to Malaga, Keppel to Vigo, London and Douglas and three destroyers to Barcelona, Denvonsire to Palma, Wren to Coruuna, Amphion to Feneriffe, Keith to Valencia, Witch to Ferrol, and Boadicea to Alicante. British subjects have been embarked on British ships at Algeciras. At all of the other places from which reports have been received from the British Consular representatives the British subjects arc reported to be ;afe. In addition to the ship movements mentioned by Lord Cranborne it was announced that British destroyers were proceeding to San Sebastian, -,ilbao. and Gijon. The battleship Re-.-!sc will arrive at Gibraltar on Satrdav with Gordon Highlanders. REBELS STiLL STRONG FIGHTING NEAR BARCELONA MILITARY DICTATORSHIP MADRID, July 22. I ■ the threatened battle the rebel and loyalist forces have not yet joined, i’ho Government claims that it is patrolling the bulk of the Madrid-Burgos road, and there are no signs of the enemy, but there seems to be no doubt that most of the country from the French frontier to Saragossa and Burgos is dominated by the rebels, whose morale is reported to be excellent. Heavy fighting occurred west of Barcelona. A decisive battle will probably take place in the Sierras, about 60 miles north of Madrid. The situation in southern Spain is confused, both sides continuing to claim .he victory. Loyalist airmen are itching to bomb the rebels at Toledo and Segovia, but as they occupy historic buildings which the Government does not. wish to harm, efforts are being made to induce them to surrender. I General Dellando has proclaimed a military dictatorship throughout Spain in the name of General Franco | who threatens pitilessly to punish opponents. Madrid continues calm. Thirty-one ’planes bombed Caserne, forcing the leaders of the rebels to surrender. The Minister of the Interior’s noon broadcast claims that the rebels are in general rout throughout Spain, except at Saragosa, Valladolid, and Seville. Broadcasting from Seville General Dellano claimed that aeroplanes sil- | enced three Government warships bombarding Cadiz. A Gibraltar message states that Governor Sir Charles Harington is returning to Gibraltar from Engl .ad. The Spanish fleet is short of fuel and has urgently requested supplies from the British authorities at Gibraltar. Refugees arriving in Portugal state that the entire province of Galicia is in the hands of the rebels. OLD CASTLE FIRED CLAIMS THAT REBELS ARE ROUTED Received July 23, 7 p.m. MADRID, July 23. Toledo’s famous old castle was set on fire when Loyalists bombed out rebels who were taking refuge in it. The reports that General Mola had been killed may have arisen from his brother's suicide and may have been due to confusion regarding names. The newspaper Claridad says that owing to the action of rebels Guadalajara had to be reduced to ruins. A Government broadcast claims that numerous rebel columns converging on the capital have been defeated. It adds that communications intercepted from the rebels asking for reinforcements show that they are in a desperate plight.