BASQUES VICTORIOUS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 4 May 1937, Page 5

BASQUES VICTORIOUS

REBEL ATTACKS FAIL AVENGING GUERNICA. Press Association Electric TfilcflraDh—Oonvrigbt LONDON, Monday. “The Times” correspondent at Bilbao says the Basques treated as a picnic an attempted afternoon attack by the insurgents, a large percentage of whom were Italians, along the Bermc Road. Senor Jose Rezola, the young Secretary of Defence, took a rifle and joined a battalion ,of plain-clothes soldiers. The insurgents fled, dropping their rifles and abandoning material. Many rebels were killed. Tho wounded wore admitted to hospital in Bilbao. Senor Rezola returned to the Ministry with booty won from the Italians. This included a trench mortar, steel helmet, three rifles, two gas-masks, and much ammunition. On the centre front Government troops defeated the so-called Fleehas Negras (Black Arrows). These are Spaniards commanded by Italian officers and non-commissioned officers. Desertions from this corps have been numerous. All complain of inability to understand orders since their officers learned only Castilian, which is not understood locally. The Basques commemorated May Day by partly avenging Guernica and celebrating the destruction of the rebel battleship Espana by an unexpectedlysuccessful counter-offensive. The Bilbao correspondent of “The Times” says that the Basques were victorious all along tho line, the rebel attacks failing at every point, with a loss of 2500 .dead and wounded. Basque reports increase this to 3500. Rebel messages for reinforcements and ambulances were intercepted. The insurgents fell into a carefullyprepared trap when pushing forward along the coastal road from Guernica. Without meeting with resistance they entered Berme, the foriner headquarters for the evacuation of refugees. At Berme Carlist volunteers-received reinforcements, only to find themselves encircled by Basque battalions and artillery. BIG OCEAN MIGRATION. WOMEN AND CHILDREN. ' LONDON, Monday. Preparations proceeding for the evacuation of women and children from Bilbao, Spain, may result in the greatest oceanic migration in history. The Spanish steamer Habana (10,551 tons) is now at Nervi-on and will carry the first batch to France on 4th May. Three thousand children capable of maintaining themselves will be taken on the first trip, together with 800 to be maintained in France by the General Confederation of Labour, which has agreed to provide for a total of 2300. Mrs Leah Manning, representing the Spanish Relief Committee, has telegraphed. Sir Walter Citrine, secretary of the Trades Union Congress, asking whether the Trades Union Council is willing to do likewise. The Sota family has placed a steam yacht at the service of the Basque Government for humanitarian purposes. Those and other ships, convoyed by the British Navy, will fly St. George’s Cross .as a special flag and as a compliment. READY TO LEAVE. FIRST CONTINGENT FROM BILBAO. (Received Tuesday, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. It is understood that the British and French arrangements for evacuation of women and.children have been completed. The first contingent of 5000, mainly children, are ready to leave Bilbao. The insurgents made two air bombing raids on Bilbao but .little damage was caused. REBEL PROTEST. BRITISH HELP OBJECTED TO. LONDON, Monday. The British Embassy at Hendaye lias informed the Foreign Office that the insurgent authorities strongly object to the decision to help in the evacuation of women and children from Bilbao and other Basque ports. This protest is an unpleasant sur-. prise, as it was felt that no objection would be possible, because of the ‘humanitarian.’ aspect. " ) BOMBARDMENT OF MADRID. A NOTED ANNIVERSARY. MADRID,- Sunday. The rebel bombardment continues daily. Loyalists dropped leaflets over the rebel lines warning “Spaniards serving foreign invaders.” To-day is the anniversary of 2nd May, 1808, when Madrid repelled the invasion of Napoleon’s army with the cry: “Madrid’s defenders are in our camp. Up with your hands. We await you.”