"Italian Victory"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 189, 27 August 1937, Page 5

"Italian Victory"

Press Assn.-

FALL OF SANTANDER Revolt in City Hastened the End JUBILATION IN ROME

(By Telegraph—

—Copyright.'

(Reeeived .27, .10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 26.. A revolt by the Civil Guards, police, Uarabinieres, and part of tbe civilian population hastened Santander's fall, says tbe Morning Post's Santander correspondent. They took charge of public buildings and imprisoned tbe. reniaining Government officials. Those resisiing were shot out of hand. A body of civilians then marched out, carrying a white flag, .dnd invited General Davila, cominanding the insurgents' northern army, to enter. Many political leaders, militia officers aiid others were caught trying to escape to Asturias. Insurgent naval uuits are elosel.v guarding the entrance to Santander harbour to prevent further escapes bv sea. The Daily Mail's Rome correspondent says that tlie fall of Santander is hailed throughout Italy as an Italian triumph. The newspapers emphasise that Italian legionaries took a leading role. The capture of Santander is ceJebrated as an Italian victory. Blackshirts demonstrated all night long,

while cafes were bedecked with flags. Ihe newspapers declare: "The victorious Blackshirts deserve well of Ifcnly." The Times correspondent at St. Jean de Luz says that Basque militia numbering about 10,000 have been withdrawn from Santander to Santona, intending to hold the territory between Santona and Castro Urdiales against both the Nationalists and the Valencia Government. They are well supplied with arms and food and are determined to fight to the last unless they can arrange acceptable terms. The Times correspondent at St. Jean de Luz says that the British flotilla--•ader Keitli did not pick up l'resident -d rre wffien it visited Santander. Senor Aguirre, with the Basque Miaister oi Finance and Justice, travelled to r rance by air skortly before the insurgents reached the outskirts of Santander. The Keith found only eight hostages. The other nine escaped by inotor-bat and are reported to .have reached Bayonne. The Keith also picked up 28 Basques, most of wFSin had been guarding hostages. Sliots were fired as the Keith left, but the vessel was not hit.