CIVIL WAR IN BALEARES

Evening Star, Issue 22442, 12 September 1936, Page 22

CIVIL WAR IN BALEARES

AIR RAIDS ON PALMA (‘ The Times.’) The civil war which broke out in Morocco on July 18 reached Majorca the following day, when machine guns appeared in the streets of Palma. The military authorities, hostile to the Madrid Government, had seized power without resistance. From the swiftness with which these events took place it is clear that the flight had long and carefully planned a rising. For the first few days there were only sporadic outbursts of violence. There was some fighting at the inland town of Manacor, where one person is said to have been killed and six wounded. So secure did the hold of the Bight appear that General Godcd, the Military Governor, flew to Barcelona to lead the rebels there, but he fell into the hands of his opponents. In his absence Lieutenant-colonel Aurelio Diaz de Freijo Duro took over the military governorship of the Baleares. A general strike was declared by the workers, but it collapsed in two days. All the mayors were deposed and supporters of the rebel cause put in their places. Proclamations were issued announcing severe penalties for the least resistance, by word or deed, to “ the movement to save Spain.” WAR BY WIRELESS. For the first few days, so far as Majorca was concerned, the war took place mainly in the ether. The Barcelona station announced every few minutes that all Spain was peaceful; that the Government had the situation well in hand; and that a few hostile elements had been brought to heel. “ Viva la Republics!” All this while the local station, Radio Mallorca, was announcing that tire “ Salvation Army ” (Ejercitq de Salvacion) was at the gates of Madrid, and that soon Spain would be freed from the Red terror. “ Viva Espana! Arriba Espana!” At the seaside resort of Gala Ratjada the authorities quickly realised that the local station was too weak' to be received there, and they had no desire to let Barcelona be heard. So wireless valves were removed from sets, with a threat of six months’ imprisonment if they were put back. This meant that the island was completely isolated save that the French aeroplanes flying from Marseilles to Algiers continued to call most days at Alcudia. The only other “ hardship ” was a slight scarcity of butter and sugar. This peaceful dream was rudely shattered on Wednesday, July 22. The neighbouring island of Minorca was as solid for the Left as Majorca for the Right, and Mahon was made a base for air attacks on the bigger island. The first was at Puerto Pollensa, a favourite holiday resort in the north of Majorca, where there is an air station. It appears to have been an act of revenge for the death of an officer loyal to the Government, but the circumstances cannot be fully unravelled. Six persons are reported to have been killed, but under the severe censorship it has not been possible to confirm this. A bomb exploded outside an hotel well known to English visitors. ISLANDERS’ PANIC, Next day Palma was twice bombed from the air and several persons were killed. From that day onwards an "aeroplane flew over Palma twice a day, at noon and at 5 o’clock, as regularly as clockwork. Generally bombs were dropped, but sometimes the missiles were only pamphlets. The “ bombs ” were sometimes merely hand grenades. Indeed, there appears to be a serious scarcity of ammunition, for in one air raid on Inca, an inland garrison town, stones were dropped. No serious damage appeared to have been done in Palma at the moment of leaving. The moral effect of the first bombardment was indescribable. There was a big flight of natives to the mountains. Others took mattresses in boats out to the open sea. The roads from Palma were blocked with vehicles, and one omnibus driver going towards the city made a right-about turn on hearing the news. But there have been some cases of “ sang froid,” among them a hairdresser, who in an air raid took his English customer to the cellar and completed her “coiffure” there; and Lena, working single-handed, has kept her bar, so well known to foreign visitors, open throughout. A steady trickle of departures began with the air raids. Last Wednesday a general fear spread round the island that the situation yvas going to get worse and that foreigners were better out of the way. It was made known that H.M.S. Repulse, which, with the cruiser Devonshire, had been lying in Palma Harbour, would take away next day all foreigners who could be induced to leave. The thrill of travelling in a battlecruiser helped most people to make tip their minds. Tourists cut short their holiday, and residents hurriedly packed their necessary belongings. On Thursday morning there was a great descent on Porto Pi, whence embarkation was to take place. NAVAL HOSPITALITY. To pass from the atmosphere of rumour and suspicion into the hands of the cool and efficient British seamen was to go from one world to another. Tlie Repulse was lying majestically in the bay, her six 15in guns proudly guaranteeing the safety of every British subject. Beside her was a fine American cruiser, the Quincy, and an Italian destroyer. Nothing was forgotten in the Repulse that could add to the comfort of the passengers. The band of the Royal Marines ;elcomed them. For the many ehiidr n a nursery had been prepared, and they were greeted by a blackboard with a figure of Mickey Mouse and the legend “ Welcome.” Only 300 passengers had been expected. Over 500 embarked, 207 of them British, but there was never a hitch. No distinction vas made between British and foreign subjects, and this was warmly appreciated by the foreigners. From the security of the quarterdeck passengers saw Palma twice bombed at the usual times—still midday and 5 o’clock. Many people were still ashore for the first bombardment. For the second visit two aeroplanes came instead of the usual solitary machine. This was the worst ment to that date, and was taken as a prelude to more serious measures. As soon ns it was over the Repulse weighed anchor and was soon taking 1.600 souls to Marseilles. It was a grateful body of passengers which left the Repulse, but when they tried to thank the officers ami men the reply was, “ Well, that’s what we are here for ” ; and that evening they wore off to Valencia on a similar errand.