REJECTED BY GENERAL FRANCO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1939, Page 5

REJECTED BY GENERAL FRANCO

Demand for Complete Capitulation

of Republicans

PREMIER AND OTHER MINISTERS GO TO FRANCE SPLIT IN THE CABINET REPORTED By Telegraph.—Press Association - -Copyright. PARIS, February 6. The newspaper "I’Epoque” states that General Franco has rejected the peace proposals which the Spanish Premier, Dr Negrin, offered through Mr R. C. S. Stevenson, British Minister in Spain. General Franco is stated to have demanded the complete capitulation of the Republicans and to have refused a suggested plebiscite, whereupon a meeting of Republican Ministers and leaders was summoned, resulting in a Cabinet split, Dr Negrin and Senor Del Vayo, the Foreign Minister, opposing capitulation. The Havas news agency reports that Dr Negrin, six Ministers, and several officials, travelling in eight motor-cars, one of which was pitted with bullets, entered France after handing over thenrevolvers and machine-guns at the frontier. The Havas agency interprets President Azana’s earlier departure.to France as an indication of a complete breach with Dr Negrin regarding methods of further resistance. All the Republican Ministers have now entered France. . ... Meanwhile it is believed that an entire Republican division, the commander of which declared that he would fight to the last man, has been wiped out in the hills near Seo de Urgels, while defending the approaches to Puigcerda. The Republicans in Madrid deny that peace overtures are being made and declare that the city will not be abandoned..