BREAKDOWN OF PEACE TALKS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 9

BREAKDOWN OF PEACE TALKS

Franco Urges Madrid

To Surrender

“NEEDLESS TO WAIT' FOR TERMS” Great, New Offensive Being Launched By Telegraph. —Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received March 27, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 27. A radio message from Madrid announces the breakdown of the negotiations being conducted by republican envoys in Burgos for the surrender of the city. The Burgos correspondent of the British United Press says that General Franco broadcast yesterday to the republicans as follows: “The entire world and your own leaders recognize the nationalist victory. We adhere to our broadcast offers of pardon, but the Courts will deal with crimes committed during the Red domination. “Patriotism makes surrender honourable. It is criminal to spill blood for the safety of a few. It is needless to await general terms of surrender, which would be difficult to obtain. Therefore, a great, new offensive is being launched.

“Resistance will be vain. Your fleet is lost. You are blockaded at sea. We would obtain retribution for the blood uselesslv spilled by postponing surrender. Save your innocent soldiers from catastrophe by hoisting the white flag. The Perpignan correspondent of the British United Press says that Senor Jose del Rio, on behalf of the Madrid Defence Council, stated that General Franco demanded the handing over of the republican air fleet as a symbol of surrender. The republicans promised this for today and asked to have the place and time stated. It was announced subsequently that the air fleet might be handed over yesterday afternoon, to which Burgos “brutally” replied: “In. view of our imminent advances on several fronts we are unable to accept any offers. We advise you to hoist the white flag before the city is taken.” Senor del Rio appeals to the republicans not to act individually, but to abide by the orders of the Defence Council. A communique issued in Burgos states that nationalists opened an offensive on the Cordoba front, immediately breaking the republican lines and advancing to a great depth. General Franco is not relaxing his preparations against Madrid and an assault is expected at any moment. RAPID NATIONALIST ADVANCE Republican Battalions

Surrender (Receivedi March 27, IL3O p.m.) SALAMANCA, March 27. A Nationalist communique claims that the troops have advanced to a depth of 25 miles on the -Cordoba front. It adds that entire battalions of Republicans, Including their officers, hoisted the white flag. Prisoners and deserters already exceed 10,000. The Nationalists also claim that they captured large quantities of arms and material, including several artillery batteries.