MINORCA SUBMITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1939, Page 6

MINORCA SUBMITS

OCCUPIED BY FRANCO FORCES MANY REFUGEES ESCAPE TO FRANCE. ANGLO-FRENCH PEACE EFFORTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) BURGOS, February 9. It is officially stated that an allSpanish force, sailing from Barcelona overnight, occupied nearly all of Minorca. Two battalions of infantry, two batteries of artillery and other units landed at dawn on the west coast,

Simultaneously, Ciudadel’s garrison on the east coast, rose under a colonel and, joined by civilians, seized the eastern part of the island. The Government forces are reported to be disbanding. Numerous refugees are escaping in fishing boats to France. France has agreed to give refuge to 450 Minorcans aboard the Devonshire. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says the Minorcans agreed to a peaceful occupation provided all those mentioned on the black list are sent to safety. It still appears that, negotiations were completed without consultation with the Italian and German commanders. Majorca reported the bombing of Belun before the Devonshire’s visit.

Sir Robert Hodgson is going to Burgos from London on February 10, fully briefed on British aims. Every step will be taken in close co-operation with France, with the object of reaching an understanding with General Franco enabling England and France to recommend the Republicans to sue for peace on terms England and France are abie to guarantee. If the new Spain gives an assurance of as strict neutrality as the old, England and France will feel able greatly to assist in her reconstruction. NEW REGIME EARLY RECOGNITION EXPECTED IN FRANCE. (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) PARIS, February 9. Well-informed circles express the opinion that there will be an early recognition of General Franco. “Le Temps” says it can even be asked whether the Republican Government has not virtually ceased to exist. EMBERS OF WAR LAST FIGHTING ON FRONTIER. RECEPTION OF FUGITIVES IN FRANCE. (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) PERPIGNAN, February 9. Forty thousand Republican troops have gone to France during the day. Le Perthus was captured without opposition a few minutes after the last of the retreating Spaniards ran across the international road, which the French requested the insurgents not to cross. The insurgents thereupon marched up and down the Spanish side of’ the road, with a band playing.

Desperate fighting continued until nightfall, the insurgents pushing on toward Puigcerda. Thousands in France watched the retreating Republicans being heavily shelled. VALENCIA BOMBED TWO BRITISH SHIPS BADLY DAMAGED. ENORMOUS HAVOC WROUGHT IN CARTAGENA. ' (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) VALENCIA, February 9. Twenty-three Italian bombers were active on the Levante coast throughout the day. A hundred bombs were dropped on the outskirts of Valencia and eighty on Valencia port. The British ships Stanforth and Stanbrook were seriously damaged. A hundred bombs were dropped on Cartagena and did enormous damage. DEVONSHIRE DEPARTS CARRYING 450 REFUGEES. BRITAIN NOT REPRESENTED AT NEGOTIATIONS. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 9. The Associated Press says H.M.S. Devonshire has again left Minorca, carrying 450 refugees, presumably strong and active Republicans. The Devonshire is awaiting instructions before landing these refugees. It is understood that the Nationalists asked Britain to convey a representative to Minorca and H.M.S. Devonshire was placed at their disposal after reference to France. Britain was not represented at talks, which are believed to have occurred on the Devonshire between Colonel Sanluis, Military Governor of Majorca and some Minorcans. LANDING AT MARSEILLES. (Received This Day, 10.42 a.m.) RUGBY, February 9. The refugees on H.M.S. Devonshire are to be landed at Marseilles, France having agreed to admit them.