BIG BATTLE LIKELY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 194, 15 August 1936, Page 9

BIG BATTLE LIKELY

REBEL AIR FORCE GROWING SAN SEBASTIAN BOMBED MUCH DAMAGE DONE [By Telegraph—Press Associatioi —Copyright] LONDON, Aug. 13. Big battles in the north and south of Spain are imminent. • The rebel cruiser Almirante Cervera lies off San Sebastian with her guns trained on the city. It is report'd that she has given the loyalists 48 hours to surrender, the time expiring at midnight. An eye-witness states that the Government supporters have declared that they would rather blow up the city than surrender. It is also reported that the loyalists threaten to execute 700 hostages when the first shell falls on the city. The hostages, who are on board a cargo vessel, include some of the richest and most notable Spanish families. Rebel 'planes bombarded San Sebastian to-day, doing much damage, and inflicting many casualties. The frontier at Hendaye is closed. The boom of guns is coming closer. Anti-Government troops are pressing toward Malaga, which is as important in the south as San Sebastian is in the north. The rebels, broadcasting from Seville, claim that several new bombers attacked the battleship Jaime Primeiro in Malaga Bay this morning, causing such damage as to render her useless and difficult to keep afloat. Aircraft in possession of the rebels are increasing in number and air activity is growing. The News-Chronicle’s air correspondent states that more than 30 'planes have left mysteriously for Spain from Britain in the last three weeks. Some have been sold to loyalists and some to rebels. All are civil machines not affected by the ban, but ran be converted for military purposes. REPORT DENTED BERLIN, Aug. 13. The Ministry of Propaganda, commenting on the report that the German Consulate at Seville had adYnitted that the pilots of General Franco’s ’planes are German military airmen, declares: “We know nothing about this, but the report appears to be without foundation.” FRANCE HANDICAPPED PARIS, Aug. 13. Reports state that Italo-German activities are making it difficult for M. Blum to secure the support of his own followers for neutrality efforts. Many consider it intolerable that the rebels have been supplied Italian and German arms.