Evening star., 1937-12-23

The pictory Das the first important
success for the government since
last Jnnes Madrid engagement
1t also is the first important test
since Gen. Franco concentrated his
i1surgent strength on the Aragon
front.
BY the Associated Press.
HENDAYE, Franco-Spanish From
tier. Dec. ga column OF insurgent
artillery and troops today smashed
through the government siege of the
military garrison at Teruel. radio
dispatch reported, adding that a
counter Offensive was being prepared.
The message from the Teruel radio
station, received at insurgent head
quarters at Irun. said the garrison and
some Of the civil population still were
resisting the government assaults.
Barricaded in seminary overlook
ink the ancient Aragon city, insurgent
troops had made their stand after a
surprise government attack drove them
out of the city in blizzard
The defenders mounted machine
guns in the huge structures twin tow
ers. Government forces rolled field
guns into the city and shelled the
citadel, which Insurgents hoped would
become another Alcsyar. The govern
ments newly organized fast tank
army, which had played a major role
IN the Teruel offensive, joined in the
assault
Insurgents Claim Advance.
The Teruel garrison is resisting
herocsily," declared an insurgent
eonTunloue issued at Salamanca. In
surSents announced that relief col
urlns pushing toward the beleaguered
dle-hards were "Shsttering enemy re-
slstancs" near Vlllastar, miles south
east OF Teruel,
Government forces however. as
serted they were determined 10 bring
a quick end to the siege and prevent
duplication Of the inSurgent success
early in the war at Toledo, where the
AlcaZar garrison held out until relief
arrived.
At midnight a government COM
munlQue reported steady advances. 1t
said infantrymen operating behind
tanks fought their way against snipers
to take full possession" of the city, !
which fell after bitter battle yes
terday.
The main column of government
forces was said to have pushed nor$-
west along the ZaragoZa highway
toward the road leading to Albarracin,
the hill town which was the supply
center for last summers unsuccessful
insurgent push against Cuenca.
Hill Reported Captured.
The government advfces reported
capture of Mansueta Hill. miles
northwest of Teruel, after short skir-
mishes in binding snowstoru. Jubi-
liant government radio announcers
declared that Gen. Jose Miaja had
proclaimed: ''Teruels fall is only the
first step in the reconquest of Spain
by republicans.
cat Perpignan, France, a new bor-
der incident was reported when Pierre
Bourrat and his son, residents of the
border town of Prats de Mollo. re-
ported they were fired upon by Span
The Bourrats said they were hunt |
ing when the police appeared on i
French soil, opened fire and then fled. |
The incident follows the Staying of a |
French youth by military police early |
this month, which was settled by a |
Spanish apology and the payment of |
indemnity.
The fifth air raid this week was
reported in military advices to Madrid |
from Sagunto. where insurgents seek
to sever government communications
with Teruel. Fifteen were killed.
1ndalecio Prieto, national defense |
minister, telegraphed Gen. Miaja at !
Madrid:
Gas an eyewitness of the Teruel at
tack can affirm that no troops in the
world would have been as capable of
denlolishing the enemy as our troops. |
even though impeded by inclement
weather."D