FATE OF MADRID

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 99, 27 March 1939, Page 7

FATE OF MADRID

OFFER OF SURRENDER. REJECTED BY FRANCO. THREAT OF BOMBING. . (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, March 26. The Burgos correspondent of the Rome newspaper, II Messagero, states that the peace envoys irorn Madrid carried a Note offering to surrender and outlining their terms. General Franco did not look at it, but flung it aside contemptuously. He stated that he would not consider any terms, and demanded an unconditional surrender within 48 hours. If that was acceptable a further 48 hours would be given in which to hand over all arms. If this was refused he would bomb the city on a large scale. The envoys then returned to Madrid where a meeting of the Defence Council was held. AGREEMENT DENIED. A message from Burgos yesterday said that it was officially denied there that the Republican emissaries had reached an agreement on the surrender of Madrid. The St. dean de Luz correspondent of the Daily Mail states, however, that this denial is believed to have been issued merely because the Nationalists, lor reasons which are undisclosed, do not wish the news to he known yet. The correspondent added that the main army was expected to march into Madrid at 7 a.m. to-day. A report from Bordeaux says that the Nationalists and Republicans agreed on all points except on the request for refuge lor members of the Government, which is still being discussed. The Republicans are reported not to have guaranteed to surrender any areas apart from Madrid.