Martial Law in Spain.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4443, 31 July 1909, Page 2

Martial Law in Spain.

Madrid, July-29. All Catalonia is in a state of insurrection as a result of the .antiwar fever. Numerous railway bridges have been destroyed. Troops have been sent to restore order. A fierce fight, lasting for an hour, occurred between rioters and the Civil Guard in Barcelona, and many were, founded on both sides. The troops in another part of the city refused to fire on the rioters who were engaged in an encounter with the police f during, the course of which eleven were, killed and fifty wounded. Later in the day, in another quarter, the troops fired against barricades in the streets, the authorities urging tho use of artillery. King Alfonso s proclamation of martial law is over the whole of Spain, and. urges peaceable citizens to remain indoors in order to avoid any risk of. being accidentally shot. Business in the city of Barcelona is absolutely at a standstill, and at night the. city is in darkness. The authorities claim that they have restored order in Barcelona by the vigorous use of arms. The Minister for the Interior ordered the Provincial Governments to act without pity. Madrid, July 29.

Serious trouble has arisen at Saragossa in the Province of Aragon. Street riots occurred at Reus Alcoy and other places. The troops ordered to repress the riots have been delayed through the cutting of the railways. Three warships have been ordered to assist in quelling the troubles. In the city and in the Catalonian province rigorous newspaper censorship exists. In Spain all war news is prohibited. Paris, July 29. The Echo de Paris states that the position at Melilla is critical, and says that the Spanish soldiery are courageous but that the officers adopt obsolete tactics and are/unaware of the first principles of African war* fare. The commisariat of the surgical, topographical, and ambulance departments are very inferior;