COURAGEOUS WOMAN

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20346, 10 November 1937, Page 9

COURAGEOUS WOMAN

FACES FIRING SQUADS DRAMA IN SPAIN OFFICERS ASHAMED OF ACTION (Times Air Mail Service.) LONDON, October 17. A bouquet which a man handed to his Queen drove him into exile and caused his beautiful 27-years-old wife to face a firing squad twice, says the Sunday Referee. Senor Ramon Batlles was the husband, and lie told a Sunday Referee reporter the story in London yesterday. For eight years he was official photographer to King Alfonso and Queen Victoria Eugenie in BarcelonaA picture was taken of him presenting a bouquet to Queen Eugenie when she was leaving his studio. This j he put in his showcase. “Afterwards,” he said, ‘‘‘came the revolution, and the Reds took power. Life in Danger ‘‘They saw the picture of me handing the bouquet to the Queen. That was enough for them. 1 was instantly labelled ‘Monarchist,’ and my life was in danger. ‘‘My wife begged me to fly from the country. She said It would cause | less suspicion if she were to stay in Barcelona as though nothing had happened. She assured me that the Reds would never harm a woman. “I fled to England. A few days after I had gone, the Reds came to my studio. They said to my wife: ‘Senor Rosina Batlles, your husband is a Monarchist, as this picture proves, and that is proof enough for us that you are one too!’ ‘‘ln vain she pleaded and fold them she knew nothing of politics. They dragged her away and held her prisoner for 26 days at police headquarters in Barcelona. “Then they took her out in a car on to a deserted road. The officer j in charge lined up his 14 men facing I tier and bade them get the machine | guns in position. ‘Talk,’ he said, ‘or I give the order to shoot.’ Did Not Flinch ‘‘My wife did not flinch. Frail, delicate as a porcelain figure, she faced the 14 men and their machine guns. ‘I know nothing,’ she said, ‘so I can tell you nothing.’ “Even the heartless, crmsl men were Impressed with her bravery. The officer wag ashamed. He ordered his [ men to put away their guns and my wife was driven back to police headquarters. “Two days later they threatened to shoot her again and once more she defied them. The police were so impressed by her bravery that they ordered her release. “An officer sent her flowers with a note saying he was ashamed of what lie had done to a brave woman. “My wife was allowed to go to San Sebastian and soon she will join me in London.”