* * * * The Fall of Teruel Last week
the closing of the Gibraltar and Portuguese frontiers by General Franco was regarded as an indication that troop movements were taking place in preparation for an offensive, possibly on Madrid. The insurgent leader, however, having delayed so long, has been forestalled by the Republicans, who a week ago attacked and surrounded Teruel, the bastion of the insurgent position on the Aragon front, with a force computed at 30,000 men. Its fall is now reported, and the rumour seems likely to be true. Even if it is not the results achieved by the Government are already considerable, for the capture of the high points surrounding the city destroys its value as an advanced point of the insur- gents in the Government's lines, and the pincers movement of the Republicans, advancing from the north-east and south-west, threatens to cut the road to Saragossa, if it has not already done so. The offensive is reputed to have been well organised and the Republicans exploited with success the element of surprise. The battle, which took place in blinding snow and rain, has seriously disturbed General Franco's preparations and the success achieved will be a stimulus to the already high morale of the Republican forces. * * * *
