THE SPANISH CONFLICT

Wairarapa Daily Times, 31 July 1936, Page 5

THE SPANISH CONFLICT

ALL EUROPE WATCHING COMPLICATIONS FEARED. Press Association Electric Tele-rmh—Conyrifiln LONDON, Thursday. All Europe is Avatching the Spanish conflict, fearing complications. The “Manchester Guardian’s” Paris correspondent says that the attitude of the Press and public is in many Avays reminiscent of the attitude toivard the Avar betAvccn Italy and Abyssinia. Opinion is divided between those favourable and hostile to Fascism, but even Rightists remember that French flags are flown at Madrid, and that victory for the rebels AvouJd turn Spain into a PoAver hostile to France, and even into a. political ally of Germany. As a French observer remarked: “It Avould really be the haul, straw if we had to keep an army along the Pyrenees next.”

The Government again denies that it is helping Spain, yet there is a growing conviction in France that other Poavcts arc supporting the rebels, Avhicli Avould be regarded as an unfriendly act justifying Franco supporting the Spanish GoA-ernment. M. Blum received Left Wing supporters, several of whom urged active support of Spain, but it is understood that lie Avas most reserved.

The day in Spain lias been devoid of decisive activities, but full of preparations for resumption of hostilities on a large scale. BATTLE IN MOUNTAINS. LONDON, Thursday. The principal engagement Avas astride the Guadarrama Range, Avliere rebel artillery and loyalist aeroplanes participated in a thunderous conflict. Though hundreds were killed on each side, the opposing forces remain in a state of deadlock. The loyalists are estimated to number 50,000, and the rebels 40,000. General Mola’s aeroplanes, augmented by three triple-engined bombers from Seville, Acav OA'er the loyalist entrenchments and bombed a line of Government troops advancing betAveen Madrid and Buitrago, in order to prevent reinforcements reaching the battle front. ALLEGED MOSCOW PLOT. Thursday. The “Daily Mail” says that Moscoav is plotting to use the civil Avar in Spain to bring about the creation of a Spanish Soviet republic. The “Daily Mail” adds that this Avas rqA’ealed when a Commintern announcer in a Spanish broadcast . from Moscoav said: “Victory must not be frittered away by fraternising Avith the bourgeoisie. Noav is the right time to proclaim ‘all poAver to the soviets.’ Existing soviets in factories, mines, Avorksliops a.nd railways must be increased by militia, air force and navy soviets, and delegates should be elected to' hold a' first congress and proclaim a SoA'iet republic.” The British Foreign Office and .United States State Department are' enquiring into reports that British and American property has been confiscated by Communists controlling Barcelona, says the “Daily Telegraph.” It is understood that the Ford and General Motors factories Avere taken over by Avorlcers’ soA'iets. An unconfirmed report says that Britisli-OAvned banks Avere also confiscated.

ALLEGED RESTRAINT. BRITISH DENIAL. RUGBY, Wednesday. The Admiralty denies emphatically a .ncAvs agency report that the RearAdmiral Commanding the First Cruiser Squadron restrained an Italian commander at Barcelona from opening fire. The rumour Avas probably due to arrangements Avith the Italian admiral that no salute should be fired OAving to tho disturbed state of the city, as the Senior Admiral, the British commander, Avas entitled to a salute of 17 guns Avhen entering the port. The of Gibraltar, General Sir Charles Harrington, Avho had shortened his leave, returned there yesterday and resumed command of the city and the fortress. —(British Wireless.)

A cable receWcd from London, dated 25th July, stated that Admiral Horton, commander of the British cruiser London, Avas reported to have draAvn alongside the Italian cruiser Monte Cuccoli Avhen it Avas on the point of firing on Barcelona, and to huA-c persuaded the commander to desist. It Avas stated that the Italians Avere incensed by attacks on Fascist clubs.

REBEL CLAIMS. .(Received Friday, 9.35 - a.m.) LONDON, Thursday. ' Thirty-seven British naval vessels are noAv in Spanish Avaters. The rebels claim to haA r e captured Valencia. This report is not confirmed. They state that they successfullly bombed the Government Avarship Almirante Fcrrandez. GoA-ernment forces bombed the rebel cruiser Almirante Cervera. A column of the Popular Front Militia Avhich is marching toAvrtrds Saragossa to help the Government forces Avas heavily defeated, and their casualties are reported to be 2000.