COLD AND FOODLESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 277, 23 November 1936, Page 7

COLD AND FOODLESS

MADRID CITIZENS Thousands Huddled In Cellars AIR RAID HAVOC REALISATION AT DAWN Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! LONDON, Nov. 20. Only when dawn broke could the havoc caused by yesterday's air raid on Madrid be assessed. Tram lines are torn up, and there are gaping holes in the city’s Piccadilly Circus. During the bombing thousands of people fled to the cellars, in one of which in the Atocha area 50 persons are entombed. It is believed that 150 others are buried in the ruins of houses. Forty women and children were killed and wounded in a food queue. Two crowded trams were blown to fragments. Thousands of people, cold and foodless, are now huddled in cellars. The extent of the food shortage is indicated by many cafes displaying on notice boards, "No more food." Communist leaders are now planning to evacuate the civilian population. Prince Alfonso de Bourbon, a relative of King Alfonso, was killed when a rebel aeroplane crashed. It is officially announced from Alicante that Senor Jose Primo de Rivera, leader of the Spanish Fascists, was executed by a firing squad. TIDE OF BATTLE RIVAL LEADERS - CLAIMS Received Nov. 22, 8.25 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 21. The insurgents claim that they drove back the militia, capturing the model prison which, although battered by General Franco's guns, was still a formidable obstacle and was defended by thousands armed with machineguns and hand grenades. It fell after the attackers rushed the labyrinth of barricades amid streets piled with dead. They also claim that they penetrated Princez and St. Vincent streets and secured the Montana barracks. A rebel broadcast alleges that the majority of the defenders of Madrid are Russians. On the other hand the Government declares that despite the day-long icy rain the situation has improved and the militia have advanced the’r lines everywhere and consolidated their positions. SAFETY AREA BRITISH EMBASSY INCLUDED Received Nov. 22, 6.50 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 22. General Franco has notified Whitehall that he has extended the safety zone in Madrid to include tne British and other embassies. DELEGATION TO SPAIN BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIANS LONDON, Nov. 20. A delegation consisting of members of all parties in the House of Commons consisting of Messrs. F. S. Cocks (Lab.), W. P. C. Greene (Con.), D. R. Grenfell (Lab.), T ord Kinnoull, Capt. J. R. MacNamara (Con.), Mr. Alfred Roberts (Lib.), and Wing-Commander A. W. H. James is going to Madrid immediately in order to gain personal information and use whatever influence is possible as neutrals to mitigate the horrors and sufferings which have characterised the Spanish conflict. A telegram signed by a number of members of Parliament and others, including Mr. Geoffrey Mander, M.P., Mr. Wilfried Robertson Pritt, Mr. Aldous Huxley, and Miss Rose Macaulay, has been sent to Madrid, stating that public opinion in England is horrified by the criminal bombardment of Madrid. GERMAN TORPEDO BOATS EN ROUTE TO SPAIN Received Nov. 22. 8.20 p.m. BREST. Nov. 21. Four German torpedo boats are en • route for Spain to relieve the Ger- j mans already there.

SPANISH GOLD FRANCO’S INTENTION ACTION AGAINST BANK OF FRANCE Received Nov. 22, 8.50 p.m. PARIS, Nov. 21. It is reported that General Franco, on the strength of the German and Italian recognition, intends legal action against the Bank of France to recover £60,000,000 in gold which the Spanish Government sent thither. AMERICAN PRECAUTIONS EVACUATION ARRANGEMENTS Received Nov. 22, 9.20 p.m. WASHINGTON, Nov. 21. The State Department has given free authority to the secretary of the Madrid Embassy to close and leave with his staff upon his discretion. It has instructed its diplomatic representative at Barcelona to summon the 135 Americans in the district to be in readiness to depart in an American naval vessel whenever necessary.