REPUBLICANS AT BAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 January 1939, Page 5

REPUBLICANS AT BAY

NO TALK OF SURRENDER IN BARCELONA SCENES OF TREMENDOUS . ACTIVITY. PREMIER DEPARTS ON SECRET MISSION. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON. January 17. The Hendaye correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph" says that, though rebel radio broadcasts demand surrender, Catalans are preparing to make a last stand against the victorious rebel advance on Barcelona.

They are completing two major lines of fortifications, the first from Tora, Lerida province, to the coast at Villanueva, and the second from Solsona to Manresa and thence to the sea. following the River Llobregat. The loyalists seem to be retreating in the same semi-headlong manner as at Aragon last March when they abandoned strong positions. Experts consider that General Franco will take tnree months to subdue the remainder of Spain after the fall of Barcelona, which is placed a month hence. The Barcelona correspondent of the “Daily Herald" says that Senor Negrin, loyalist Premier, after assuring the English. French and American embassies that the Catalonian situation was in hand, departed on a secret mission, believed to be to France, in order to plead for the opening of the frontier for the supply of arms. Unless this is done, thousands of troops will face a slow massacre because of the non-intervention scheme. There is no talk of the . surrender of Barcelona, as 160,000 inhabitants are aware that this will bring them before Moorish firing squads, and an abandonment of the city would cause a revolution. The Barcelona correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that women are rapidly replacing the artisans who have been ordered to the firing-line. The presence in the city of thousands of refugees is aggravating the problem of food and accommodation. The municipality, which is feeding refugees on iron rations, has appealed to England and France for supplies. A message from Lerida says that the nationalists claim that in 30 hours they captured 600 square miles of Catalonia, including 82 towns and villages with a.total population of 200,000, and 40.000 prisoners.

FACTOR OF DISTURBANCE THE ATTITUDE OF GERMANY AND ITALY. INSISTENCE ON ONE-SIDED INTERVENTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, January 17. Reuter's Berlin ..correspondent says competent circles declare that Germany would regard French intervention in Spain as a factor of extraordinary disturbance and that Italy’s strong attitude, regarding attempts in certain French circles to induce France to help the Republicans, is strongly shared in Berlin.' Signor Mussolini’s position is that he would be free to act, by declaring non-intervention bankrupt, if other governments should befriend the Republicans. He has the unequivocal support of German authoritative circles. DALADIER’S PROBLEM CONFLICTING CONSIDERATIONS NOT EXPECTED TO OPEN FRONTIER. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) PARIS. January 17. Well-informed circles do not believe that M. Daiadier will decide to open t.ie frontier. M. Daiadier is torn between two considerations: As Premier he feels it his duty to listen to Mr Neville Chamberlain and block any intervention in Spain, for fear it may lead to war. while as Minister for War, he feels it his'duty to intervene and prevent Italy creating a new and hostile frontier to France.

REBEL FLEET. TIGHTENING BLOCKADE . OF BARCELONA. (Independent Cable Service.) • Received This Day. 10.45 a.m.) TARRAGONA. January 17. The rebel fleet has left Tarragona, in order to tighten up the blockade of Barcelona. COMMUNIST PARTY. APPEAL TO ALL DEMOCRATS IN BRITAIN. (Independent Cable Service.) • Received This Day. 10.45 a.m.) LONDON. January 17. The British Communist Party has I called on all Labour supporters and Democrats to mobilise and assist Spain to obtain arms.