Rebels Masters of Malaga

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 5

Rebels Masters of Malaga

Big Italian Force Said to Have Assisted FURTHER ADVANCE ON MADRID | United Pres* Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 7 pjn. LONDON, Feb. 8. The insurgents became masters oi Malaga, the last stronghold of tbe Spanish Government in the southeast, which Is important as a potential naval base, when nine columns, some of which were mechanised and all equipped with the most modern armament, converged in an attack on the town. According to insurgent reports the garrison numbering 40,000 were unable to withstand the combined thrust and eventually were completely demoralised. Panic spread among the leaders and the Red unions. Many defenders flung down their rifles and fled. One account relates that as the militia fled a thousand women carrying children dashed to greet the insurgents, thanking them for bringing “freedom from the Marxist Hell** and declaring that they had not eaten anything for days. It is alleged that a mob attempted to set fire to a ship in which were imprisoned 600 hostages and suspects, but the advancing troops succeeded in saving the vessel and liberating the prisoners, many of whom are sons of professional and business men and landowners in Malaga. ' An insurgent broadcast declares that hundreds of dead and wounded were found in the streets as the Government supporters at night got completely out of hand and pillaged, burned and murdered hoetagee and prisoners. General Del Lano claims that the insurgents are pursuing the enemy who are fleeling along all roads, also by cliffs, to Motril Almeria. It is reported that the insurgent cruisers Canariss and Baleareas . captured a steamer in which the Government leaders and heads of t.frf Communist committees were atMmstin* to excxpu. Government supporters allege tket tile Insurgent attack was carried out by 30,000 Italian and several thousand Germans directed hy the German staff aboard the Graf Spee. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent on the southern sector of Madrid says the insurgents continued to advance in the direction of the main Madrid-Valencla road which they are aiming to cut. Gibraltar reported that the Government leaders captured when attempting to escape by sea included General Kleber, the Ruslan previously in charge of the defence of Madrid, who recently arrived to command the defences. The insurgents announce that the * 4 condemned Beds” will instantly he executed. Government supporters allege that the Insurgents employed a hundred Italian tanks in the final phase of the advance. BOMBING OF BOYAL OAK. GOVERNMENT APOLOGISES TO BRITAIN. VALENCIA, February 8. The Government has apologised to Britain for bombing the battleship Royal Oak. It was admitted that five bombs wore mistakenly dropped in her vicinity. Britain does not contemplate further action. —*•