DRENCHED WITH PETROL

Evening Star, Issue 22449, 21 September 1936, Page 9

DRENCHED WITH PETROL

CITADEL OF ALCAZAR ABLAZE LOYALISTS' DESPERATE EFFORT TO CAPTURE POSITION DRIVEN BACK BY CHOKING SMOKE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 20. (Received September 21, at 10 a.m.) Fire brigade hoses poured streams of petrol over the occupied parts of Alcazar, then bombs ignited it and huge sheets of flame enshrouded the former headquarters of the military governor, which a strong force of rebels bad recaptured. The Government forces vainly tried to expel them, but were driven back by the enormous clouds of thick, choking smoke from the burning petrol. One rebel, braving the hail of bullets, rushed out and grabbed a hose from a fireman’s hand and turned a stream of petrol on the Government supporters and held the hose while they poured bullets into him till he fell dead. Then a party of insurgents made a desperate sortie in the teeth of a heavy fusillade. Many were killed and wounded before they retired. The diplomatic corps in Madrid is trying to obtain an armistice at Alcazar to save the women and children. The Chilean Ambassador suggests that a 24-hour armistice will save the Jives of ■9OO women and children. An insurgent broadcast from Cadiz claims that the cruisers Almirante, Cervera, and Espana engaged the Libertad and another Government cruiser trying to raise the blockade on Bilbao and Gijon, and sank both. BRITISH REFUGEES APPEAL FOB FUNDS (British Wireless.) RUGBY, September 20. (Received September 21, at noon). . A letter signed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Archbishop of Westminster, and others appeals for funds for British refugees from Spain, many of whom have reached England entirely destitute. Harrowing examples are cited of men and women who spent most of their lives in Spain and built up prosperous businesses or professional connections, and who have had to leave behind everything, down to the smallest personal effects. A committee has been formed to organise help for the refugees.