BACK TO NORMAL IN BARCELONA

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 112, 4 February 1939, Page 11

BACK TO NORMAL IN BARCELONA

Further Rebel Advance In Catalonia FRENCH TROOPS MOVE UP TO FRONTIER By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. LONDON, February 2. Messages from Lisbon state that conditions in Barcelona are rapidly becoming normal. A midnight communique issued bv the Spanish Government says that tense lighting took place in Catalonia yesterday. The rebels advanced near Malgrat. but otherwise were held up, with heavy losses. Five persons were killed and 12 wounded in raids on Valencia, where, many fires occurred. Ine British steamer Cardin, which was previously damaged, was sunk. ' The correspondent of “The Times” at St. Jean-de-Luz says that the rebels have entered Berga and are advancing toward Ripoil in order to block the outlet into loyalist territory, which is open from the Puigcerda sector. The correspondent of “The Times” at Bourg-Madame reports that the rebels have captured Vich and are pushing on toward tlie French frontier. French soldiers have taken charge of 147 seml-starved refugee children who are eventually destined for England and many of whom are babies. " Two battalions of French troops have reinforced the frontier. It. is significant that they are regulars, not reservists, indicating the Government’s concern over the possibility of a large influx of loyalist armed units who are anxious to cross the border. LOYALISTS RESOLVED TO FIGHT ON Vote Of Confidence In Negrin Government LONDON, February 2. Addressing the Cortes at Figueras today, the Spanish loyalist Prime Minister, Senor Negrin, revealed that the Government had bought contraband arms, including arms from Germany and Italy. He reiterated his statement that the war would continue in central Spain even if all Catalonia were lost.

■ Senor Negrin added that peace was onlj' acceptable on conditions which would guarantee Spanish independence and the people’s rights to choose their own regime and destiny. He said that there would be no reprisals after the war. The correspondent of the British United Press at Figueras says Hint Senor Negrin's speech was delivered to members of the Cortes gathered in a former wine cellar at Figueras. Sixty-two members were present. They passed a vote of confidence in Hie Negrin Government and tlie republican forces, who, Senor Negrin declared, had re-established their line.

FRANCO’S SPIES COME OUT OF HIDING

Position Legalized In Barcelona HON HON. February 2. The Barcelona correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that. General Franco's famous "fifth column,” consisting of supporters operating in Government territory who, since the start of the war, have been smuggling information to him regarding the Government dispositions, emerged from hiding and presented themselves to the nationalist authorities at the Palace of Justice, where they received new identity cards legalizing their position.

They were of motley rank. Many former army officers were harboured by Barcelona families who knew them before (he war. The authorities are now consulting them as Io which citizens deserve lenient treatment and which harsh treatment.