HEADWAY CLAIMED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1938, Page 5

HEADWAY CLAIMED

INSURGENT OFFENSIVE IN CATALONIA MENACE TO STRATEGIC TOWN. CAPTURES OF PRISONERS & MATERIAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. BURGOS, December 29. General Franco's Aragon army corps has broken through the formidable Republican fortifications fronting l the strategic town of Balanguar, 16 miles north-east of Lerida, taking a further 800 prisoners and much war material.

The rebels also claim to have brought down 20 Republican warplanes during the day.

REPUBLICAN REPORT ’ ASSAULT BEATEN BACK. OFFENSIVE SLOWED DOWN. BARCELONA, December 29. 1 A Republican communique denies ; that the insurgents have broken through at Balaguer and claims that the assault was beaten back after the most violent fighting. Reports from other fronts are most conflicting indicating that' the Nationalist offensive has slowed down, at least temporarily. REBEL RAIDING GREEK SHIP SEIZED ON HIGH SEAS. BRITAIN DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON, December 29. The “Daily Herald” says that the London-bound Greek tanker .Atlas was seized by rebel warships on the high seas and detained at Palma. Part of the ship’s £lO,OOO cargo is British owned and all of it British insured. Britain is demanding an immediate release, in association with many protests by Greece. BRITISH STEAMER BOMBED. CREW TAKES TO BOATS. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 29. Lloyd’s agent at Gibraltar reports that the British steamer Marionga was bombed near Valencia. The crew took to the boats. ANOTHER PROTEST. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, December 29. Britain has protested to General Franco in a Note regarding the attack on the tanker Atlas. REPLY FROM FRANCO. ON COMPENSATION question. (British Official Wireless.? (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) , RUGBY, December 29. Britain is considering a reply from General Franco on the question of the payment of compensation for damage done to British shipping trading with Spain. It is anticipated that the Note will be submitted to the committee of British shipowners trading in Spain for consideration. The communication constitutes a reply to a plan evolved between Britain and the committee of shipowners and confidentially submitted to General Franco.