MINORCA OCCUPIED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 34, 10 February 1939, Page 10

MINORCA OCCUPIED

INSURGENT FORCE

Rising on east coast

•STEPS FOR PEACE

ANGLO-FRENCH CO-OPERA-

TION

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright, t -(Received February 10, 2.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 9. :£t is officially stated in Burgos that a wholly Spanish force which satled from Barcelona last night occupied nearly all Minorca. Two battalions of infantry, two- batteries of artillery, and other units landed at dawn on the west coast, a^£d simultaneously the garrison at Ciudadela, on the east coast, rose under its colonel, and, being joined By civilians, seized the eastern part o£. the island. The Government forces are reported to be disbanding. Many refugees are escaping in fishing boats to France. "France has agreed to give refuge to ttjie 450 Minorcans who are on board H.M.S. Devonshire, which is due at iSarseilles tomorrow. ""The diplomatic correspondent of .tile, "Daily Telegraph" states that the Minorcans agreed to peaceful occupation of the island, provided that all w,ho had been black-listed were taken to safety. It appears _that negotiations were completed without consultation ■with the Italian and German commanders at Majorca. «.-Minorca reported that bombing had begun before the visit of H.M.S. Devonshire. w RECOMMENDATION TO LOYALISTS. The British agent in Spain, Sir Robert Hodgson, will leave London for, Burgos tomorrow fully briefed on the, British aims. Every step will ]?£.; 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 which Britain and France w.4P be able to guarantee. If the new jsjgain gives assurances of strict neutrality, Britain ' and France feel that they will be able greatly to assist reconstruction.