STALEMATE IN SPAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 December 1938, Page 7

STALEMATE IN SPAIN

NEITHER SIDE ABLE TO FORCE DECISION NINE HUNDRED MILE FRONT. STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF REPUBLICANS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LISBON, December 19. Information received from official and military observers suggests that the Spanish war is at a standstill. There has been no real offensive for many months. It is. stated that as they are situated at present, neither army is capable of staging a decisive action. The front line extends for at least 900 miles, which is twice the length of the Western Front in the Great War. It is believed that General Franco’s army is not big enough to permit the marshalling of troops necessary for an offensive without dangerously weakening the hold on existing positions. The Republican’s equipment and defences are now stated to be better that General Franco’s, but the shortage of food remains their big weakness, hence the importance attached to General Franco securing belligerent rights, which would enable him to establish a blockade. OFFENSIVE DELAYED MANY MUTINIES REPORTED * IN REBEL TERRITORY. COLONELS AND HIGH OFFICIALS ARRESTED. LONDON, December 19. It is revealed that a large-scale Nationalist offensive on the Catalonian front, which was scheduled to start today, was postponed because of floods immobilising eight divisions-over ‘ a 100-mile front. An unofficial truce at present exists among the soldiers who are fraternizing and playing football in no-man’s land. An official truce, for the holidays, however, is not likely. There are numerous reports referring to discontent and mutinies all over Nationalist Spain, in which connection the “News Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent states that six colonels and other high officials have been arrested in Segovia. • It is also reported that thousands were arrested and 200 shot after the discovery of a conspiracy to stage a z garrison revolt at Segre simultaneously with the Catalonian offensive.