The Washington times., 1936-10-01
(Knickerbocker diary on Page 1O
By Fl. r. KNICKERBOCKER
Copyright. 1885. by International
News Seryice)


Copyright 1895. by International
News Service)
(KnickerbOcker diary on Page 1O)
WITH GENERAL FRANCISCO
FRANCOIS ARMY. TOL E D o ,
Spain, Oct. 1.-The heroic Span
iards who for 10 weeks defended
the ancient Toledo Alcazar against
a siege without a parallel in mod
ern times lost 81 of their number.
They claim to have killed 1000
reds in the innumerable unSucceSS-
ful assaults against the fortress.
But other things than this tell
OF the indomitable spirit OF the
fearless defenders.
Saw Relief Coming
I returned to the ruined library
of the Afcazar to find Lieutenant
Colonel ASenSio standing on pile
of general staff maps and I re-
ceived an explanation of how the
city was finally taken by the
whites.
One survivor who wishes to
conceal his name because he has
a family in Madrid and fears
repriSals, said:
"On the third day before
Nctual relief of the siege we
believed our troops must be
coming because we saw red
batteries being pulled in from
the front.
"Then We saw three Moorish
soldiers washing their hands
in the river and knew we were
going to be saved. The reds
often tried to deceive us by
sending soldiers to us dressed
like our troops, but this time
we knew they couldn't initiate
the MOOrs."
FEARED FOOD POISON
Suspicion of the defenders went
very far when the first packet
of food was dropped by para
chutes from a white plane, and
they had the contents chemically
analyzed for poison before they
would touch it.
Very little food really reached
them this way, however, because
of the reds antiaircraft fire and
because it was extremely difficult
to strike the tiny target OF the
Alcazar with parachuteS.
A haggard but grinning de-
fender crammed into my hand
three of the most remarkable
documents of the siege and OF
journalistic history. They were
one sheet mimeographed news
papers issued daily and entitled
"El Alcazar," with a masthead
reading:
"This thOusand.year-Old wit
ness of the most glorious stages
of history today holds in its
bosom warriOns who will save
Spain by their faith and honor"
GOT NEWS BY RADIO
This little newspaper began with
a daily one-paragraph editorial,
then a column of general news
picked up on the radio, then a Sec
ton called In and Around the
Alcazar."
Then came a daily riddle with
the answer to yesterdays and
finally a lost and found classified
department in which nearly all the
notices urged return of misplaced
weapons.
But one thing told more OF the
spirit of the defenders than any
thing else. This was an advertise
ment for the "Alcazar Circus" an
amateur theatrical performance.
Theater Program
Here amidst a siege which
meant a 24-hour desperate vigi-
lance day and night, they found
time to present the following pro-
gram.
/. A symphony concert by nu-
merouS notable orchestra per
formers.
2. Presentation Of a variety
company.
8. The noted conjurer, Trapel-
lini and his sister.
4. The constant comedian.
S. Exhibition by the world
famous tightrope walker, Chu
Ling.
6. The genial humorist, Mr..
Zaka.
7. Final championship bout
by our horse-Weight Greco
Roman specialist, wrestling with
himself.
8. Fandango in Carioca style
by Los ManueleS.
VOTE AMERICAN-
TnYa1 FInnd pnriI