FATE OF MADRID

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 March 1939, Page 5

FATE OF MADRID

PEACE TALKS BREAK DOWN SURRENDER URGED BY FRANCO. NEW OFFENSIVE BEING LAUNCHED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 27. A radio message from Madrid announces the breakdown of the negotiations being conducted by republican envoys in Burgos for the surrender of the city. The Burgos correspondent of the British United Press says that General Franco broadcast yesterday to the republicans as follows “The entire world and your own leaders recognise the nationalist victory. We adhere to our broadcast offers of pardon, but the Courts will deal with crimes committed during the Red domination.

“Patriotism makes surrender honourable. It is criminal to spill blood for the safety of a few. It is needless to await general terms of surrender, which would be difficult to obtain. Therefore, a great, new offensive is being launched.” “Resistance will be in vain. Your fleet is lost. You are blockaded at sea. We would obtain retribution for the blood uselessly spilled by postponing surrender. Save your innocent soldiers from catastrophe by hoisting the white flag.”

The Perpignan correspondent of the British United Press says that Senor Jose del Rio, on behalf of the Madrid Defence Council, stated that General Franco demanded the handing over of the republican air fleet as a symbol of surrender. The republicans promised this for today and asked to have the place and time stated. It was announced subsequently that the air fleet might be handed over yesterday afternoon, to which Burgos “brutally” replied “In view of our imminent advances on several fronts we are unable to accept any offers. We advist you to hoist the white flag before the city is taken. Senor del Rio appeals to the republicans not to act individually, but to abide by the orders of the Defence Council.

NATIONALIST ADVANCE.

SURRENDER OF REPUBLICANS.

SALAMANCA, March 27.

A Nationalist communique claims that the troops have advanced to a depth of 25 miles on the Cordoba front. It adds that entire battalions of Republicans, including their officers, hoisted the white flag. Prisoners and deserters already exceed 10,000. The Nationalists also claim that they captured large quantities of arms and material, including several artillery batteries. TEN THOUSAND PRISONERS TAKEN . (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) LISBON, March 27. Nationalist forces are 22 miles from Jaen. Some 10,000 prisoners have been taken. The Nationalists crossed the Republicans’ fortifications between Puerto, Calatraveno and Penarroya, but were held up by concrete-lined trenches and galleries in the Pedroches Valley. Senor Miaja and General Matallana and General Menedez have arrived at Valencia. NO SIGN OF OFFENSIVE. VALENCIA ROAD CROWDED WITH REFUGEES. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) MADRID, March 27. There is no sign of an offensive. The road to Valencia is crowded with refugees. DEFENCE COUNCIL. DETERMINED TO FIGHT. (Independent Cable Service.) PARIS, March 27. The Madrid radio announces that the Defence Council is determined to fight on. The Lisbon radio states that Republican deserters told the Nationalists that fighting occurred in Madrid between civilians and troops.