LAST DEFENCE FALLS

Evening Star, Issue 23174, 25 January 1939, Page 11

LAST DEFENCE FALLS

REBELS TEN MILES AWAY FALL OF BARCELONA IMMINENT TERMFIG AIR BOMBARDMENT OF CITY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright BURGOS, January 24. (Received January 25, at 10.5 a.m.) it is officially stated that the Nationalists have captured the entire Llobregat line—Barcelona’s . last defence. The Moors are 10 miles from the city gates. A terrific aerial bombardment is heralding the impending fall of the capital. - : ■ UNDER ARTILLERY FIRE FOREIGN EMBASSIES MOVING OUT BARCELONA, January 24 (Received January 25, at 10.5 a.m.) The Nationalists have been sighted advancing swiftly on all sectors. The city is under, direct artillery fire. Manresa has been occupied and Gava is completely surrounded. The troops are only three miles from the aerodrome. Over 100 city residents were killed in air raids. The destroyer Greyhound has taken off the women members of British staffs. The cruiser Devonshire is still standing by to pick up members of the consular corps. The French Embassy is moving out. : .. STAMPEDE OF REFUGEES EXPECTED FRANCE REINFORCING FRONTIER GUARDS PARIS, January 24._ France is reinforcing, her frontier guards in expectation of a stampede of, refugees from Barcelona, which was discussed by M. Bonnet and Senor del Vayo. An exodus of between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 is expected after the fall of Barcelona, in which there are elements whose entry France regards as undesirable, but she does not want to be inhospitable to those who are being persecuted. Consequently it is not expected that the frontier will be hermetically. sealed. Alternatives envisaged, are. the creation of concentration camps or the reception of a number of refugees aboard ship, after which they- will be conveyed to African territory pending settlement. • The authorities are investigating a derailment near Cerhere. on the Catalonian frontier, where the line was torn up at a station shortly before a consignment of flour was due to pass from France to the loyalists. PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES FRENCH GENERAL STAFF'S PLANS (Independent Cable Service.) PARIS, January 24. It is significant that General Game!in and Vice-Admiral Darlan postponed their tour of France’s North African' defences and remained in Paris to watch the Spanish situation. The French General Staff presented M. Daladier with a plan for the seizure of Minorca and Spanish Morocco if Signor Mussolini- does not quit Spain immediately the war ends. The Paris correspondent of the London ‘ Daily Express ’ points out that positions on the Spanish mainland, such as Cartagena and Alicante, could also be occupied. Minorca could be taken over without trouble, as the Government would certainly rather hand it over to France than to General Franco. M. Bonnet to-night is expected to define France’s attitude during his reply to the foreign affairs debate, with M, Blum following M. Bonnet as the spearhead of the Opposition’s attempt to force the opening of the frontier. M. Daladier will reply for the Government, and it is understood that the theme of his speech will be “ No adventures, no abandonments.’ It is expected that a confidence vote Will he taken on January 26. *■' AIR RAIDS ON BARCELONA CABINET REMAINS IN CITY. BARCELONA, January 24. Thirteen air raids killed .32 and wounded 60 and destroyed many buildings. Bombs struck two French ships. A message from Valencia says that a majority of Government departments are leaving, but the Cabinet remains. FRENCH CRUISER STANDING BY (Independent Cable Service.) BARCELONA, January 24. (Received January 25, at 11 a.m.) The French cruiser Suffren has arrived at Caldetas and will remain at the disposal of the French Ambassador.