SURRENDERED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20727, 10 February 1939, Page 5

SURRENDERED

MINORCA’S DECISION NATIONALIST CONTROL REPUBLICANS DISBAND (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 10, 2.30 p.m.) BURGOS, Feb. 9 It is officially stated that the Nationalists have landed at Minorca and dominate the island. The Republicans are disbanding. It is officially stated that an allSpanish force is sailing from Barcelona overnight occupied nearly all Minorca. Two battalions of infantry, two batteries of artillery, and other units landed at dawn on the west coast, simultaneously the Giudadela garrison on the east coast rose under their colonel, and, joined by civilians, seized the east of the island. The Government forces, are reported to be disbanding. ‘ Numerous refugees arc escaping in fishing boats to France. France lias agreed to give refuge to the 450 Minorcans aboard 11.M.5. Devonshire due at-Marseilles on Friday. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the Minorcans agreed to the peaceful occupation, provided all those mentioned on the black list are sent to safety. It appears that negotiations were completed without consultation with Italian and German commanders. Majorca, who until the eleventh hour envisaged the establishment bas»es at Minorca, reported that bombing had begun before the Devonshire’s visit. A British representation is going to Burgos from London on Friday 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 Britain and France to recommend the Republicans to sue for peace on terms that Britain and France will be able to guarantee. If the new Spain gives an assurance of strict neutrality as did the old, Britain and France will feel able to greatly assist in reconstruction.

DRAMATIC SCENEB TROOPS ENTER FRANCE FRANCO UNIMPEDED APPEAL TO THE BASQUES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-bt) LONDON, Feb. 9 The beginning of the end of the Catalan campaign came with dramatic suddenness last night, says the Daily Mail’s special correspondent at Bourgmadame. At 10 p.m. there appeared on the frontier out of the darkness a column of infantry, marching four abreast. (Behind them, as far as the eye could see, stretched an unending line of troop?. Every available French soldier was hurriedly summoned from barracks and cafes. An officer leading the column explained that two divisions of the Catalan army were entering France, and 35 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. Afterwards the Spaniards were conducted to fields and open spaces around Bourgmadame, where, within a few minutes they were lighting fires, around which they huddled for warmth in the icy night air. Contact With Border 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 the first contact with Franep on the Catalan border, from which they will gradually squeeze the Republicans out of the remaining Catalan territory down to the sea. The Spanish Nationalists are making a final effort to overwhelm Catalonia, says a message from Burgos. They raptured 40 villages and advanced 18 miles yesterday, and are expected to enter Puigeerda 55 miles northwest of Gerona, to-day. The garrison and civil authorities have gone to Fra nee. Two thousand Catalan soliders have gone to Hendaye to .loin the Nationalists, says a message from Toulouse. General Franco has appealed to Basques throughout France to return to Spain. He has promised them religious and language freedom, and economic and social benefits. Negrln’s Movements Dr. Negrin is still in Spain—but only by five yards. He is now installed with other members of the Republican Government in a house on the Spanish side of the main street of T.eperthus, says the Daily Mail’s special correspondent there. Dr. Negrin admitted that events were now moving fast, hut declared he was determined to be the last Catalan to quit the country. ITALIAN WITHDRAWAL A MOOT POINT WHAT CONSTITUTES “THE END” (United Pre«s Assn. — Eier. Tel. Copyrig-bt) LONDON, Feb. 8 The Prime Minister. Mr Chamberlain. was asked in the House of Commons by Mr Arthur Henderson Labour—Kingswinford whether, in view of the terms of the Anglo-Italian agreement, any discussions were yet conic mpl Red between Britain and Italy as to what constitutes the termination of the Spanish civil war. In reply, Mr Chamberlain said the agrceinunt did not provide for any

such discussions. When he was referred to a statement in the Italian press to the effete that the Italian Government did not propose to withdraw its troops until after a political victory in Spain, he saftl: “Statements of the press do not represent the views of Hie Government of any country.” Mr Henderson: Is it the view of the British Government that Italy has undertaken to withdraw tier troops as soon us hostilities cease? .Mr Gii a tii berl ain : Yes. It is understood that the British Ambassador at Home has received renewed assurances that recent comment in the Italian press has no bearing on the undertakings regarding the withdrawal of Italian troops from Spain given by Italy in the Home agreements of April.