Evening star., 1936-12-02
DEADLY AIR RAID
IS HELD START Of
REBEL DRIVE
Women and Children Slain
as Insurgents Rain Bombs
on Madrid.
POWERS ACT TO CURB
SHIPMENTS OF ARMS
International Committee Asks
Permission to Investigate
Munitions Imports.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
With Spain's cipn ,Dar prouiding
first MAJOR battle-ground for Eu-
ropes rirdl ddherents OF commu-
nism and tdSciSm, fears for the
peace OF the entire continent are
spreading. Despite neutrality agree
ment, sponsored by Great Britain,
Germany and Italy are charged
Wtth aiding Spanish insurgents and
hare recognized regime OF Gen.
Francisco Franco before he has
overcome legal government. Russia
and France haze shoUn sympathy
NTH popularity elected Lettist gou.
ernn1ent.
War, Uhich started Uith rebellion
last July, finds Fascists halted BY
determined Loynlist defense after
advancing to edges OF Madrid.
By the Associated Press.
An insurgent air raid on Madrid
bombing military barricades and con-
centration points with deadly &C
curacy, today was believed the curtain
raiser for grand assault against the
beleaguered city's defenses.
Between 80 and 100 men. women
and children were killed, while hos
pitfalls coped with what authorities
called "the first gas cases" of the
siege.
The International Non Intervention
Committee, charged with keeping the
Spanish civil war confined within the
country's boundaries. meanwhile took
ITS first tangible" step to prevent
shipment Of arms to either warning
faction.
The committee set up by Europe
major powers addressed letters to both
Leftist and Rightist forces asking per-
mission to send observers to investigate
alleged shipments of munitions from
foreign countries.
At Geneva. where Spain's Socialist
Communist government has charged
Fascist Germany and Italy with
creating a danger to international
peace by aiding the Spanish insur-
gents. it was suggested similar plan
may come up at next weeks session
of the League of Nations Council.
Franco Protest Expected.
Gen. Francisco Franco, insurgent
commander, these sources acknowl-
edged, would probably enter strong
protests against any such international
military commission.
Reports of an '"acute" food short
sge came from Madrid's commissal
of food supplies while reinforced gov
ernment troops drove back violent
Fascist land attack on the capital
Danger of extending the civil con-
fict being waged about Madrid into
general European war was seen by
Premier Francisco Largo Caballero,
addressing the Spanish Socialist Par
Lament at Valencia.
"A European war is now being
fought on a small scale in Spanish
terrain" the premier declared, land
unless the League of Nations takes
steps to permit the legitimate govern
ment to purchase arms and supplies
1t will inevitably spread over Europe. "
The premier declared the Spanish
insurrection would have been sub
dued within "a few weeks" had the
Fascists not had direct assistance"
by Germany and Italy from the be-
ginning.
Sees Great Danger"
He lamented the tolerance and
passiveness" of other nations toward
the civil war in Spain and declared
their attitude was a source of great
danger"
Socialist officers in Madrid declared
the insurgents striking power" ap-
peared weakened. possibly broken.
after the most bitterly fought battle
(see SPAIN, Page A-2.)