Evening star., 1937-07-17


MADRID. July 1.-THE Spanish
government army. grown to full
stature in 365 days Of civil warfare.
knitted f1ercely today at the rear guard
Of Madrid's insureent besiegers.
Determined to smash the far-flung
positions which Generalissimo Fran
cisco Franco's legions have held dur
ing most Of the war, Gen. Jose Miaja
threw his men forward in the Brunette
and Clempozuelos sectors.
Government sources said an insur-
gent radio station broadcast that from
$4,000 to $4,000 Italian volunteers
serving with Francois troops were at
ValladOlid. 100 miles northwest of
Madrid. ready to proceed to the CEN
trail front.
1t was believed the Italians eventu-
ally will see service near Madrid.
Dispatches from Santander, gov
ernment-held city on the northern
coast. reported increased government
Air activity. TWO insurgent pursuit
planes were shot down there yester-
Gay IN an air battle, the reports said.
Warshfp on SantAnder.
The insureent varship Almirante
CerVera WAS reported cruising outside
san'ander Harbor seeking to prevent
the entry Of British and French ships.
On the Madrid front, both govern
nent and insurgent commands
brought their heavy artillery into use
m scale hitherto not seen in the
civil war.
Brunette, wrested from the insurgents
carly in the major offensive now u
days old, lies about ls miles west and
C'emposuelos about IS miles south of
.the long beleaguered city.
Mlala. commander of a II government
sroops on the central Spanish front.
threatened to surround the large in
eureent army in at least 20 towns and
villages Such feat would force
FRANCOIS troops back at least 20 miles
from Madrid If they were able to
escape through the governments
ringing lines-othervise they would
face slaughter or capture.
Siege Since November 6.
The government would regard the
eHenhvs as major victory II " sue
reedeo In forcing F<Ancos withdrawal
from the outskirts Of the city where
ahsureenn have camped with their
srt1llery since hast November 6.
10 block the operation, insurpent
infantry divisions. preceded BY a fleet
of shell-spitting tanks, launched three
sHeeks late yesterday on Villanueva
GA Pardlllo, few miles north of
F-'nete. but failed to regain the town
Like Brunette. Villanueva had fallen
early IN the government drive.
Nearer 10 Madrid. along the Coruna
ROAD 10 the northwest. Miaia's sun-
efed miiicianos tried to hammer two
enearheads into Villafranca del Castillo
from the east and north
InsurRent defenders of the nart,v
devastated village were reported to
nave suffered heavy Losses.
Positions Consolidated
Government troops in the Oempo-
elelos sector, east Of Jarana River
consolidated new positions near the
opposing lines of the insureent rear
guard. The government sent armored
railway trains into the insureent ter
r1tory TO protect militiamen fortifyine
Che ne~ly-eained positions.
Aviation operations. which have at
sa'ned spectacular scope in the gov
eTnments drive, carried the campaign
sar back Of Francois lines bv attacks
On several airdromes and railroad
ststions yesterday
The government said all its planes
returned from the bomb and machine
Rln raids
The insurgents turned their own
homoers and heavy guns on suburban
alrdromes Of Madrid Several per-
sons were killed on the outskirts of
the capital in one-hour shelling yes-
terday. A fleet OF insurgent planes
accommodating the capital last night
were turned back when searchlights
picked them out for anti-aircraft fire.