SPANISH REVOLT

Wairarapa Daily Times, 30 July 1936, Page 7

SPANISH REVOLT

APPREHENSIVE LULL LOYALISTS GREATEST TASK. Press Association El'v't.rio 'ToToornpb—CoDvrighf LONDON, Tuesday. Apart from sporadic engagements, and preparation for others, wliat may be described as an apprehensive lull prevails in the Spanish theatres of war. The Government is steadily consolidating its resources for a supreme effort. and has authorised a special' credit of £1,110,000 to expedite the suppression of the revolt. The subjugation of Saragossa is the greatest task facing the Loyalists. To this end columns are steadily assembling and the air base at Lerida has been strengthened to 15 aeroplanes. Three batteries of artillery have been dispatched to Lerida from Barcelona. The rebel commander at Saragossa, General Caballero, declares his ability to repel any attack. Nevertheless, on the balance the general situation undoubtedly favours the Government, while both sides are beginning to recognise that the struggle must be protracted far beyond the earlier estimates.

The triumph of the rebels at Oyarzun in the north was short-lived, the Republican militia from San Sebastian and Irun recapturing the village, which is strategically important, after a sharp fight introduced by field guns, for which ammunition is now plentiful. The attack was consummated by a dashing bayonet charge and the rebels retreated to the mountains.

This, with the surrender of the Loyola garrison at San Sebastian, clears the Guipuzcoa Province of insurgents and will release * sufficient troops to enable a loyalist column to march on Yittoria, which is still in rebel hands. The defenders, apprehending a further attack, have placed the city in a complete state of defence. They have dug trenches and built barricades in every street, women occupying them side by side with men. A THRILLING EPISODE. (Received Thursday, 10.0 a.m.) LONDON, Wednesday. People at Gibraltar witnessed a thrilling episode when a rebel ’plane bombed a Spanish Government submarine patrolling the Straits. It is believed that the ’plane sunk the submarine. The Government claims to have brought down seven rebel ’planes.