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THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 16, 1937
BILBAO'S FALL IMMINENT Italian Black Shirts Lead Rush Into Suburbs
Begona Puts Up Stout Resistance
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL")
Rome, To-day.
Another claim that the insurgents have_com- pleted the capture of Bilbao is made by a Rome newspaper, which states that the rebel flag now floats over the Basque stronghold.
Commenting on the reported development, the m journal declares that with the fall of the city the end of the Spanish civil war is at last in sight.
THE PAPER PRAISES THE ITALIAN TROOPS PARTICI- PATING IN THE DRIVE WHICH SHATTERED THE FORMID- ABLE “IRON RING.”
THE BLACK SHIRTED BRIGADES, THE PAPER CLAIMS, WERE THE FIRST TO REACH THE SUBURBS OF THE DOOM- ED CITY.
DUKE OF KENT TO
Fall Expected VISIT CASTLE
In 24 Hours
Lisbon, To-day
the
General Franco expects complete capture of Bilbao with- in 24 hours, states a broadcast from Salamanca.
The broadcast adds that the Civil Governor of San Sebastian has been ordered to Bilbao to reorganise the civil life of that city. Reuter.
FRENCH NAVAL VISIT TO KIEL
Party Given Welcome In Berlin
· Berlin, To-day. The officers of the French naval
is visiting the German naval base at Kiel, arrived here yesterday.
Meanwhile, earlier messages out irrespective of party considera-training ship "Jeanne d'Arc," which reported that simultaneously |tions. with the drive on Bilbao, the in- The British Ambassador
to surgents were making good pro-Madrid, who is now residing at gress on the Aragon front. Hendaye, has informed the insur
Four Republican planes, it is gent authorities of, this decision, claimed, were shot down over and at the same time conveyed the Haescha by insurgent machines, British Government's hope that the while loyalist militia who attacked insurgents will refrain from carry Chumilla and Perdibuere were re-ing out their threat pulsed with heavy losses.
evacuation.-Trans-Ocean.
Determined resistance was ap- parently offered to the rebels in Begona, a suburb of Bilbao. -
The population of Bilbao was stated to be in a complete panic as the result of the piti- less rain of shells and bombs on the city.
White flags, it is claimed, were fluttering from many windows, brains while Colonel Vallejo, the behind the defence, surrendered with his entire Staff.
to
prevent
BRITISH SUBJECTS
A reception was given in their honour by the German Commander- in-Chief, Admiral Raeder, which was attended by the French Am- bassador, M. Francois Poncet, and the former Minister of Marine, M. Pietry.
In a short speech welcoming the guests, Admiral Raeder expressed the hope that the visit would con- tribute to improvement of Franco- German relations.
WASSERLEONBURG
The Duke Of Kent is shortly to pay a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at Castle Wasserleonburg, according to the "Daily Express.":-
A Trans-Ocean message, quoting the London journal, says that the Duke of Kent is leaving for a holi- day on the Continent with the Duchess and will go to Wasser- leónburg early in August. The Duchess of Kent will not accom- pany him.
It is understood that the King was consulted regarding the visit and expressed his approval.
RIEFENSTAHL CANARD
Story A Complete Fabrication
Berlin, To-day. The "Berliner Boersenzeitung" declares that the report of the Paris "Soir" alleging that Dr Goebbels insulted Leni Riefenstahl the famous actress and close friend of Herr Hitler, and ordered. her from an important reception, is a complete fabrication from end to
The French Ambassador, reply-end.
Destroyer Proceeds To ing, said he thought the visit would It is pointed out that Dr. Goeb-
RESCUED
Santander
London, To-day.
not only serve to draw the two bels and Fraulein Riefenstahl have nations closer together but would been closely associated for some serve a useful purpose in increas-time past in connection with the It was officially announced yester-ing mutual understanding.-Trans- production of the Olympic film. day that Mr. Stevenson, the British
Ocean.
Trans-Ocean.. Consul at Bilbao, together with the remaining British subjects in beleaguered city, were taken off by the destroyer H. M. S. Kempenfield. Kempenfield made the trip from the French port of St. Jean de Luz for this purpose.
the
Two
› cases
of cerebro-spinal
Mr. L. Kadoorie and Mr. Horace fever, one of typhoid and three of Kadoorie left Hong Kong for Shang-
to the hai in the President the
dysentery were reported Health Officer yesterday.
The harbour town of Cleacia, it is alleged, was captured by Italian "Black Arrow" brigade.- Trans-Ocean.
5,000 PRISONERS
The destroyer H. M. S. Boreas has been sent to Santander evacuate British subjects from that
to
Mr. Eden Sends Appeal port, which will probably be the next objective of the insurgents after the probable fall of Bilbao. Trans- Ocean.
To France
London, To-day,
The Spanish insurgents have captured 5,000 Basque prisoners since entering the "iron ring" sur- roundingBilbao, according to a message from Vitoria..
Meanwhile a copy of the Basque President's appeal to Mr. Anthony Eden to prevent destruction of the centre of Bilbao, before the civilians are evacuated, has been sent to Gen- eral Franco with the expression of the British Government's hope that the threat will not be put into ex- ecution.--Reuter.
BRITISH OFFER
To Assist Refugees From Bilbao
SPAIN'S METAL
MINES
Statement In House Of Commons
London, To-day. The fate of the important iron and other metal supplies in Spain was brought up for discussion in the House of Commons yesterday
The President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Oliver Stanley, replying || to, a question, said that a certain proportion of the metals produced were now being exported to Ger- many, and Italy, since the majority of the mines were in possession of the insurgents. bilik tedy ovuda
The present obstacles in obtain- London, To-day. ing supplies of Spanish ores for It was announced yesterday that Britain would be the object of in- the British Government has signi- vestigation, though the insurgent fied its willingness to assist in the authorities had already given assur- evacuation from Bilbao of women, ances that the mines would be man- children and old men on condition aged as before and the metals avail- that guarantees be given that the able for export to any nation. humanitarian work will be carried Trans-Ocean.
[morning.
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