DRIVEN OUT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1939, Page 8

DRIVEN OUT

SPANISH PREMIER & STAFF ENTER FRANCE WELCOME AT BOMBS INTERRUPT FINAL CONFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press r.ssociation—Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) PERPIGNAN, February 3. As a result of the rebel occupation of Figueras Dr. Negrin and th. e General Staff have gone to France. The blowing up of the tower magazine at the Figuera's citadel broke up Dr. Negrin's conference, throughout tne day, with the General Staff in a bombproof dungeon. The explosion wrecked nearby houses and was heard fifteen miles away. Dr. Negrin and his party were welcomed at the frontier by French military officials and accorded a guard of honour. Dr. Negrin looked back as he crossed the border and gave a clenched fist salute. It is believed that, if Dr. Negrin is unable to go to Valencia the initiative in peace negotiations will pass to General Miaja. The rebels are expected to enter Puigcerda tomorrow. The garrison and civil authorities have gone to France. Twelve thousand republicans are concentrated in the meadows at Bourgmadame, under a strong French guard. Thousands at Bourgmadame watched rebel aviators machine-gunning remnants of the retreating divisions that are struggling toward the frontier. French batteries fired warningly when rebel- planes neared the border.