LAST REPUBLICAN DIVISIONS ENTER FRANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1939, Page 5

LAST REPUBLICAN DIVISIONS ENTER FRANCE

Disarmed on Passing the Frontier PREMIER MEANS TO BE LAST TO LEAVE GENERAL MIAJA SAID TO HAVE OPENED PEACE TALKS By Telegraph.—Press Association.- -Copyright. LONDON, February 9. The beginning of the end of the Catalan campaign came with dramatic suddenness, says the special correspondent of the “Daily Mail” at Last night at 10 o’clock there appeared on the frontier out of the darkness a column of infantry marching four abreast, while behind them , stretched an unending Hine of troops. Every available French soldier was hurriedly summoned from barracks and cafes. The officer leading the column explained that two divisions of the Catalan Army were entering France. Thirty-five minutes later 16,000 soldiers, all marching in perfect formation, had crossed the frontier. They were immediately disarmed and great piles of rifles and revolvers rapidly rose on each side of the road. Afterward the newcomers were conducted to fields and open spaces around BourgMadame where, within a few minutes, they were lighting fires round which they huddled for warmth -in the icy night air. Nothing now stands between the Nationalist Armies and the frontier, save a few rearguards, and within a few hours General Franco’s troops are expected to make their first contact with France on the Catalan border, whence they will gradually squeeze the Republicans out of the remaining Catalan territory down to the sea. The Republican Premier. Dr Negrin, is still in Spain, but only by five yards. He is now installed with other members of the Government in a house on the Spanish side of the main street of Le Perthus, says the special correspondent of the “Daily Mail on the scene. Di Negrin admitted that events were now moving fast, but declared that he was determined to be the last Catalan to quit the country.

It is believed that if Dr Negrin is unable to go to Valencia, the initiative for the peace negotiations will pass to General Miaja, defender of Madrid. In this connection the Paris correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that General Miaja is already reported to have opened peace talks, seeking conditions under which the armies in Madrid and central Spain would lay down their arms.

A message from Salamanca says that the nationalists, in a final effort to overwhelm Catalonia, captured 40 villages and advanced 18 miles yesterday. It is reported from Toulouse that 2000 Catalan soldiers have gone to Hendaye to join the Nationalists. A Burgos message states that General Franco has appealed to all Basques in France to return to Spain. He promised them freedom of religion and language, and economic and social benefits.