"THE DIE IS CAST"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 March 1939, Page 5

"THE DIE IS CAST"

NEGRIN MINISTRY OVERTHROWN IN SPAIN National Defence Council Set Up in Madrid DETERMINATION TO RESIST TO UTMOST UNLESS PEACE WITHOUT REPRISALS !S SECURED By Telegraph—Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, March 6. The Government of Dr Negrin has been replaced by a National Defence Council headed by General Sigismundo Casado, Commander-in-Chief of the Madrid zone. The Gibraltar correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company states that Dr Negrin is reported to have fled from Madrid. The city is reported to be calm, despite the overthrow of the Government which was effected peaceably. In a a broadcast speech today General Casado said: We shall resist till we receive a guarantee of peace ensuring the independence of Spain and the avoidance of reprisals.” he added: “Either we shall all be saved or we shall all sink. The die is cast. The council issued a manifesto declaring that the situation was intolerable inasmuch as the people lacked guidance and organisation and suffered absurd inactivity under the Negrin Government. The manifesto violently attacked the Negrin Government’s “proved incapacity,” adding “the gravity of the moment compels us no longer to obey this handful of men in whom we have no further confidence. The council also declared that the members of the Negrin Government were preparing to flee abroad, but that steps had been taken to prevent this. “We cannot allow a privileged few quietly to escape abroad. Negrin said: ’Let us stand or fall togethei. Veiy well, so let.it be. We shall resist to the utmost limit.” The manifesto added that the council had assumed full responsibility for the administration of Republican Spain and was exercising supreme authority. ' , In addition to General Casado, who represents the People’s Party, the National Defence Council includes Senor Julian Besteiro and Senor Eduardo Valls, representing the Socialists, Senor Miguel San Andres, representing the Left Wing Republicans, Senor Wencaslao Carrillo, representing the Socialist Workers Union and Senor Gonzales Marin, representing the Anarcho-Syndicalist Workers Confederation.

CARTAGENA REVOLT.

COMPLETE SUPPRESSION I ANNOUNCED. LONDON, March 5. An official broadcast from Madrid today announced the complete suppression of the revolt in Cartagena with the aid of the Republican fleet and troops who were dispatched to the scene. It added that a judicial inquiry has been opened in order to rigorously punish those attempting to stab loyal Spain in the back. Reports circulated while the Nationalists had possession of the wireless station at Cartagena stated that the bulk of the population, the garrison and the dockyard workers rose against the Republic and captured the Republican fleet of three cruisers and 10 destroyers which nationalist air laids had previously severely damaged. Another version, however, was that the fleet sought safety at sea. Later came an announcement that the Republicans had recaptured the radio station after street fighting, taking many prisoners and shooting others. NATIONALIST FLEET. REPORTED TO BE EN ROUTE TO CARTAGENA. LONDON, March 6. The Gibraltar correspondent of “The Times” says that the Nationalist fleet is reported to be en route to Cartagena. ARRESTS IN ORAN. PARIS, March 6. A message from Oran states that the • French authorities arrested 30 officers and men believed to be. Nationalist participants in the revolt immediately they climbed out of four military planes from Cartagena. The fourth plane contained seven men. It took to the air again but made a forced landing.

REPUBLICAN FLEET

HEADED TOWARDS ALGERIAN COAST. SUPPOSED TO BE MAKING FOR NEUTRAL PORT. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, March 6. Several sources report that the Spanish Republican fleet of a dozen vessels is proceeding eastward to the Algerian coast. It is-presumed that the ships are making for a neutral port. ENDING THE WAR DEFENCE COUNCIL SAID TO BE AGREED. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) PARIS, March 6. Senor Barrio, speaker of the Spanish Cortes, said General Miaja is the man who can agree with General Franco to restore peace to Spain. The new Defence Council is in complete agreement on the desire to end the war. STATEMENT BY MIAJA. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) MADRID, March’ 6. General Miaja has arrived at Madrid. He said order prevailed in the Republican zone and the people were very well satisfied with the formation of the Defence Council. BALANCE OF PORTENTS ANTICIPATION OF ORDERLY SURRENDER. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 6. Reuter’s Madrid correspondent says the balance of portents points to an orderly surrender.