FUGITIVE SOLDIERS ESCAPE TO FRANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 9

FUGITIVE SOLDIERS ESCAPE TO FRANCE.

FRONTIER OPEMD.

Battle-Worn Troops Cross

To Safety.

BELIEVED OF ARMS. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 12 noon.) LONDON", February 5. The conference at Leperthus between Freneh and Spanish representatives, decided that after clearing civilian refugees from the frontier Loyalist troops would be allowed to enter France and would be sent to a concentration camp at Argeles.

The frontier was later opened at 4 p.m. and Spanish troops crossed in single file down a lane of 400 French infantrymen, the foremost of six barriers of 1500, who searched and relieved them of their arms.

A Spanish colonel, before the first i battle-worn soldiers arossed, said: I "Henceforward you will obey Frenchmen's orders. Do you accept?" The response was a mighty roar, "Si (Yes)."

The British United Press Perpignan correspondent says a detachment of the international brigade, and 1200 women and children crossed in the evening. The remainder of the Loyalist army begins to pass to-morrow.

The "Daily Telegraph'' Perpignan correspondent says that rebel 'planes all night and all day were bombing refugees en route from Gerona to Figueras. EXPERTS RECALLED. WITHDRAWAL OF ITALIANS. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LOXDOX, February 5. The "Daily Mail" Rome correspondent says the withdrawal at short notice of the Non-intervention Committee's three British technical experts who have spent six months in Italy, is interpreted as a breakdown in the talks concerning the withdrawal of Italian volunteers from Spain.

The experts' preparation of two base camps in Spain capable of clearing 20,000 Italians has gone' by the board.

The British United Press Burgos representative says the rebels occupied Palamos.