OFFER OF PARDON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 100, 28 March 1939, Page 7

OFFER OF PARDON.

GENERAL FRANCO’S SPEECH. LONDON. March 27. The Burgos correspondent of the British United Press says that General Franco broadcast yesterday to the Republicans as follows: “The entire world and your own loaders recognise the Nationalist victory. We adhere to our broadcast offers of pardon, but the Courts will deal with crimes committed during the Red domination. “Patriotism makes surrender honourable. It is criminal to spill blood for the safety of a few. It is needless to await general terms of surrender, which would be difficult to obtain. Therefore, a great, new offensive is being launched.” “Resistance will be vain. Tour fleet is lost. You are blockaded at sea. We would obtain retribution for the blood uselessly spiried by postponing surrender. Save your innocent soldiers from catastrophe by hoisting the white flag.” The Perpignan correspondent of the British United Press says that Senor Jose del Rio, on behalf of the Madrid Defence Council, stated that General Franco demanded the handing over of the Republican air fleet as a symbol of surrender. The Republicans promised this for to-day and asked to have the place and time stated. It was announced subsequently that the air fleet might be handed over yesterday afternoon, to which Burgos “brutally” replied: “In view of our imminent advances on several fronts we are unable to accept any _ offers. We advise you to hoist the white flag before the city is taken.” Senor del Rio appeals to the Republicans not to act individually, hut to abide by the i rders of the Defence Council. A Burgos message says that the Nationalists have surrounded the mercury mines at Almedan.