CATALONIA SURRENDERED

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 February 1939, Page 7

CATALONIA SURRENDERED

GOVT. CHIEFS DISPERSE

REBELS BOMB REFUGEES

[BY CARLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

PERPIGNAN, February 4. The Loyalist Government is leaving Figueras for Valencia. Messages from Burgos state that the rebels have occupied Gerona and San Feliu de Guixols. Six rebel air raids killed 500 at Figueras, and destroyed many buildings. Refugees have quadrupled the population, and consequently shelters are inadequate. People are streaming out to the countryside in all directions.

Figueras was bombed for five hours. Scores of buildings were wrecked, and 700 bodies are lying buried in the ruins.

LITTLE RESISTANCE.

PARIS, February 4.

The final phase of the Catalonian resistance seems to have been reached. Deserters are reaching the frontier in increasing numbers, where reinforced French forces with full 'war equipment await the climax, which is expected' to-morrow. Fugitives assert that Loyalist troops north of Berga are without leaders and disorganised. An official rebal report says that a motorised Navarrese column, preceded by tanks and aided by a mixed legionary brigade, easily overcame the Loyalists’ resistance. They found Gerona in confusion. The advance guard is 19 miles from the frontier. Art treasures have been handed over to Mr. Neil McLaren, of the London National Gallery, and M. Jaujard, of the Louvre, for transportation to Genoa, in the custody of the League of Nations, which will return them after the war, whatever Government, may exist in Spain.

PRESIDENT'S FLIGHT

(Rec. Feb. 6, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 5.

The British United Press Perpignan correspondent says: The autonomous Catalonian Government has abandoned the struggle, and now the Catalonian campaign is virtually ended. President Azana has arrived- en route to Paris. Other Ministers have already left for France. President Azana states he is going to Paris in order to urge the British and French Governments to alleviate the suffering of Republican soldiers and civilians. He added that a communique will be issued shortly announcing the transfer of the Government from Figueras, by air to Madrid, and his own departure to France.

It is understood the evacuation of Figueras was ordered after Premier Negrin’s departure. The Prefecture at Perpignan announces that Negrin and the Ministers left Figueras for Madrid by air.

PLANES REACH FRANCE

PARIS, February 5.

Twelve Loyalist chaser planes landed at Salvaza aerodrome. The French authorities took them over. The British United Press. Perpignan, correspondent says: A Loyalist plane landed at Toulouse and three near Bordeaux. Sixty more are still aloft seeking an aerodrome on. which they may land. The British United Press Burgos correspondent says that the rebels have occupied Palamos.

LACK OF ARMS.

(Recd. February 6, 10.30 a.m.) FIGUERAS, February E.

A Republican communique states 300 were killed and 800 wounded in the continuous air raids on February 4. Senor Devayo said: “I have not lost hope. It was impossible owing to lack of arms to carry out resistance at Barcelona. We had whole regiments who could have vigorously counter-attacked the exhausted Nationalists, but we needed a hundred thousand rifles and 3000 machine guns.” He added the Loyalist Intelligence Service reported that over 5000 were massacred and executed in the first few days of the rebel occupation of Barcelona.

FLIGHT INTO FRANCE.

(Recd. February 6,2 p.m.) LONDON, February 5.

“The Telegraph’s” Perpignan correspondent says that rebel planes throughout the night and day were bombing refugees on the route from Gerona, to Figueras.

The Franco-Spanish Conference decided that after clearing civilian refugees from the frontier, Loyalist troops would be allowed to enter France, and be sent to a concentration camp at Argeles. The frontier will later be opened. One thousand six hundred 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 arms. A Spanish colonel before the first battle-worn soldiers crossed, said: “Henceforth, you, obey Frenchmen’s orders. Do you accept?” The response was a mighty roar: “Si.”

The British United’ Press Perpigment of the International Brigade with 1200 women and children crossed during the evening. The remainder of the Loyalist Army begins to pass to-morrow.

BRITISH WITHDRAWAL.

(Recd. February 6, 2.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 5.

The “Daily Mail's” 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 of the talks concerning l 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. CANADIANS RETURN. HALIFAX. February 2. Almost penniless, ill-clothed, and wholly glad to be back, 300 Canadians who fought with the Spanish Government forces, many of them

wounded, arrived from Spain, to-day. A number hinted at treachery in the Government retreat from Barcelona, where the Canadians were awaiting repatriation. They barely escaped being trapped, and taken prisoner. They fled from Barcelona during the night, with whatever clothing they could secure.