2
Their
Pen Pictures from the Northern Spanish Front, where the Asturian miners are stubbornly resisting
the Rebels.
N the first two weeks of the war the big six-inch gun which Major Juan Ayzs, the Commander of the Asturian forces, insisted on showing me, was the only plece of heavy artillery of the beslegera all round Oviedo.
were
It was found in the State gun factory of Trubin, but without the essential part-tle breech. The General manager of the factory and se vora! engineers Fascista and all in the plot. On the eve of the rising they colected all breeches in the workshops, loaded them on a lorry and took them to the artillery barracks of the rebels in Oviedo.
MEANWHILE,
*
most
of the workers had volunteered in the militia, They all wanted to ight in the front inc. It was dimcult to persuade them that they wero
the more needed in factory.
After several days the work was reorganized. With the assistance of u few loyal englacers new breeches were provided. This six- Inch gun was the first big one to be completed, and many others fol- lowed. Major Ayza told me the story of how he becane Che military commander of the Astu- rian column.
He was just spending his summer holiday with friends in Oviedo when the rislug broke out. AB a former A.D.C. to Prend- dent Azana he was cer- tain to be arrested as A hostage by the rebels.
He left the town by night and slipped through the sentrles, On his night trip through the mountains le met two men who both be-
longed to the Spanish mobile guard of Oviedo. These men were the only two out of a battallon of 300 who did not belleve their officers' tale of a
Liberty is
at Stake
by VICTOR SCHIFF
were the frearms that only a minority of the volunteer could be sent to the front. Rifles and machine guns had to be captured from the rebels in San Sebastian and other places in the North before the actual siege of Oviedo could begin.
The devotion of the Asturian miners to their leaders and their spirit of unity in these crucial days is an admirable example of politi- cal loyalty and intelligence.
In the weeks before the Fascist revolt things looked blank within the workers' movements. Benor Peßin and Senor Toms, the heroic leaders of the desperate struggle of the Asturian miners in 1934, now belonged to the Ro-called "moderate" wing of 1230 Socialist Party and open conflict with the revolutions ry" wing led by Benor Caballero in Madrid.
An'a result of this quarrel a split seemed unavoidable. Communists and Anarchists were gaining ground in the Asturins.
Before the Fascist danger all rivals ries were forgotten overnight. Ramon Gonzales Peña and Belarming Toma are recognised and obeyed by all as the leaders of the Asturian movement,
My interview of twenty minutes with theso two men at their headquarters
in the Town Hall of Bama di Langreo was interrupted thrée times by urgent telephone calls from various parts of the front.
Commanders of several sections of the besieglig forces, having heard news of the downfall of the Almancas barracks In Gijon, anxiously requested a share in the booty of machine-guns and rifles.
'If we could only arm one-third of the men who are willing to fight in the millin, this war would soon be over," Senor Pefia sald to me with a sigh.
He asked me to convey his per- Bonal greetings to Mr. Ebby Ed- warda and his British miner friends. I seized the opportunity and asked him for a written mea- Grent nage to the workers of Britain.
A translation of it is given on this page.
THE long strip in the North which has remained loyal to the Republlenn Government of Madrid includes some of the rich- est provinces and towns of Spain.
Having the opportunity to get into touch with the English workers, especially with the miners of Great Britain, I convey to them from the battle-front my heartiest greetings and the fervent wish that we shall not be abandoned in this cruel struggle against Fascism and for the defence of Democracy. RAMON GONZALES PEÑA
(Secretary-General of the Spanish miners)
Bolshevik rising, who suspected -- foul play against the Republic, and who decided to "desert" and join the defenders of liberty.
*
ALL three arrived at Sama di Langreo, the heart of the col- llery district, where the miners were gathering to form a militia. Major Ayza called at the Town Hall, Where Ramon Gonzales Pefa and -Belarmino Toma, the heroes-of-Octoi
ber, 1934, were organising the troops.
“You are the man we need just now," ald Senor Peña to him, "You have now full powers for organising the column and directing military opera- tions.
After a few days the blockade of Oviedo was complete. But no scarce
Ramon, Gonzalez Pefta
The rebel generals claim to rule over more Span- iah square miles than the Government. But the deserts of Aragon, Castille and Estrama- dura cannot be com- pared with these wealthy provinces in the North- not to speak of Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona. What is Spain without Santander, Bilbao, Gijon and San Sebastian?
Now this long strip. reasonably broad in the Asturias, becomes nar- rower and narrower eastwards. It is well protected in the South by high mountains, and may be defended for months, if not for years, against the rebels' army. But at ita extremity-
In the last 15 miles between San Schis tian and the French frontier-ta width is finally less than three miles. The railway line and the main rond nre within the range of Fascist rifles. at some places not much more than half a mile from the peaks occupied by the rebels. Irun, at the end, is now bombed and Shefted every day.
Above: Six-inch
gun of the militia besinging Oviado. Right: Dofendors of Irun-Liout. Blanco, Capt. Manachom,
Sonor Sanz, and Capt. Pedro Santillan
Spanish navy from the sea on the North,
Among the heroes whom I was glad to meet and to congratulate when I visited the Fort of Gunda- lupe, the last and indomitable stronghold between the Atlantie and the rattiary of the Bidasson, was Cap- tain Pedro Bantillan. He rmites at Wie twelve-inch shells of the E-pana.
Senor Banz, the Chairman of the Peoples' Front of Irun,, ls always where the danger is worst.
Others with whom I talked were Ber- geant Blanco, promoted lieutenant of the militia army after his determined action with a handful of loyal sold;ern compelled the rebel soldiers of San Be- bastian to surrender, and young French Rezerva-Lleuteoant Jack Manachem- now promoted Captain of the Milla- who transformed the hill of Ban Mar- tial, Irun'a dast defence Inc. into an almost Impregnable fortress, and who is now doing the same with the section
of Urlenta, south of San Sebun- tian.
I had forwarded a letter Jack Manachem wrote to his father, a shirt-maker, of Clermont-Ferrand. The elder Manachem called at my hotel in Hendayo a few days inter, "I must bring my boy back to France." he said. "He is my only son. His mother is seriously El and does not even know that he has volunteered."
"ATHER and son met at Irun. The father wept and bṛsought. The son comforted him, but refused. Natly to abandon hla new comrades. Tho father's supremo rigument was, "But la not even your country!' And young Jack Mazarhem had only this answer, sublime in its simplicity: "Wherever" liberty is at stake-that is my country."
Make your FLOWERS
Most hotarwînes like to sec flowers in their homes, but unleas they have i garden at their dispneai the cost of renewing them con- tinalty is likely to mount up alarmingly in the weekly billa.
Last Longer
Use a sharp knife for cutting— scissors are Hable to bruise the cell stems and make a 'slanting cut, so
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1986
FOR JAZZ PIANO ENTHUSIASTS.
HOT BREAKS FOR THE PIANO. Shefte.
MODERN SYNCOPATED BREAKS & ENDINGS. Garratt.
HOW TO PLAY RAGTIME. Winn's.
HOW TO RAG & JAZZ. Winn's.
CHORD & JAZZ BOOK. Winn's.
HOW TO PLAY JAZZ & BLUES. Winn's.
MODERN JAZZ PIANO COURSE. Rube Bloom.
TEN' LESSONS FOR PIANO. Zez Confrey.
TUTOR COURSE IN MODERN SYNCOPATION, Billy Mayor.
BLUE BREAKS FOR PIANO (Easy to Play But Blue) Shefte.
JAZZ BREAKS, TRICKS, BLUES, ENDINGS,. etc...
BLUE BREAKS.
MODERN PIANO METHOD, Vincent Lopes,
LOOK & PLAY.
VAMPING TUTOR,
LEARN TO PLAY POPULAR MUSIC IN 60 MINUTES.
A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF NOVELTY PIANO SOLOS including
THE GRASSHOPPERS DANCE (just arrived);
TSANG FOOK PIANO COMPANY, Marina House, 19 Queen's Road, C.
Tol. 24648. *.
and
OUR BRITISH CROSSWORDS
13
14
1G
117
10
10
20
121
31
2
#
* 24 125
26
23
120
ACROSS 1 Shum tontines cause consider-
uble surprise.
THE Fascists will spare no effort to cut off the Republican North from the rest of the world. But so far the_Here are a few hints-for-pro-that-the-cut-stalks-never-rest-flat-on- .9.Explunailon.... onslaught has been repulsed.
serving them which will prolong the bottom of the vase, their life for days.
And tribute must be paid to the few thousands of volunteers who have vic- Loriously resisted the terrible pressure by a well-trained army of mercenaries -including Moroccans and Foreign Legionaries from the South, and by some of the mast modern units of the
Your NAME MARIE
be-
THE KINCHENG BANKING CORPN. Symbol:eath overhanging
WILL OPEN ON
OCTOBER 20th
At Prince's Building (1st floor), Ice House St.
THIS
water
Irces.
He expresses strength in adversty, deep feelings hidden under a calm exterior -a refining influence.
Saturday is your lucky day if your name is Márie, and the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. bring you the greatest fortune. The 17th day of the month is the luckiest for all Important affairs. Lapis lazuli Is the unusual gem that suits you; it dispels melan- choly and attracts good fortune, The darker shades of green and rich brown are the best for your colour schemes.
The camelia is your flower, and the number eight beings you luck,
Flowers that have travelled some distance, and are already beginning to wilt, will revive if the lower part of their stems is plunged in very hot water. When they are arranged in
FIRST of all, flowers should water later, this part that has been be put in water as soon so immersed should be cut away, as possible after they are cut.
If they are bought ones the string
round the flowers should be cut at All flowers should be rearranged once, and they should be immersed every day, their stalks reçut, and for the time being almost up to their any dead blossoms removed, as these heads in tepid water, Never put tend to kill the others. The Voses them head under in water. This not should be washed out and refilled only spells the appearance of the with fresh water. Rain water is petals, but causes them to droop and better than water from a tap, and drop away almost at once.
When arranging them in vases,
in cold weather it should be, warm- ed. A little aspirin or pinch of com-
flowers fresh.
cut the stems under water. The mon salt is excellent for keeping object of cutting is to make sure that the ends of the stems are not People fortunate enough to be able shrivelled and sealed up so that they to gather flowers from their own cannot absorb water, and if they are gardens should pick them in the feul under water I will prevent air carly morning. In this way their bubbles getting into the stem and freshness and colour will last much blocking up the water supply.
longer.
AL L. B.
10 The beauty of this is that if not found at first I will be at Inst. A
Anishi pleasant
12 Really more your job than mine,
this, dear solver.
13. An Interesting announcement,
seemingly for the nymph,
14 There's a certain note in Bach that has a special appeal at holiday times,
16 Pretty awful though strictly
legal
18 Feeling fine? Well, give the
game away.
20 Lock up, apparently in relation. 22 One of the famous "Soldiers of
the Queen."
24 An article about the exact posi-
tion required.
27 Necessities to everyone. 20 An old English date,
30 A sheltered London S.E suburb. 31 Mountain-none more so. 32 Anxiety does to the brow, 33 What Noah's Ark was while
being built-
DOWN
2 Everything in the show lacks
depth, you'll find.
3 A girl of colour.
4 Enting (anig.)
5 Fevered.
G Plant.
7 funters call here.
8 One mad priest' rules ́uver this
In essentials.
:
उट
福
Unsuitable marriages may re- Bult when allens' clalms are talcen into consideration
14 Describes a tactless speaker who
"Is not at all keen.
former
15 Much turns on the
Dean's aspiration.
17 This man is everybody's enemy. 10 It certainly sounds a good win-
ter tree.
21 The girl who takes 24 as wrong. 23 Scene of several land speed re-
cords.
25 Stopped with a couple of young
fellows
20 Sorrowful..
20. Fish that In In bad odour, it
seems.
20 Russian distance reversed.
Yesterday's Solution. CRCANTILEVEŘEME KCSVSABABONAWA FFORBIDDING RE O BANORABLE A8 T RESORES NETENER TITLEKEDERATIO EELKHAKUUT RIDUCEPETAL IRIEBLANK" TIE
G NOMEAVENEMEND HUNSOLDIEPESHY TESTOSUJEMMERUFT LEUCALYPTURE
E BORGANUNTE NEG MARMORTIFYINGMA
ADVERTISE
where there is no
doubt about
CIRCULATION
SALESMAN SAM ·
I'M TH’GAME WARDEN, FELLAS!) JES' CROPPED BY TA ASK YA' IF YA GOT YER HUNTIN' LICENSES?
WHY-ER-UK- YEAH, I GOT MINE, BUT MY, PAL FERGOT HISI
Now Duzz Is In For It
WAL, LEMME WARN YA -ONLY GUYS YER WITH THEIR OWN LICENSE KIN SHOOT (WRONG,MR. ANYTHING IN THESE HERE WOODS! WARDEN-
By Small
I LET DUZ2.USE MINE THIS MORNIN' AN' HE
HAD TH' SWELLEST KINDA LUCK!
·BEANZ
T