CITY ENTERED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 101, 29 March 1939, Page 9

CITY ENTERED.

CROWDS CHEER, DANCE, SING. ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES. Received March 29, 9.45 a.m. MADRID, March 28. The Nationalist troops entered Madrid and advanced to the centre of the city in motor-cars flying the Nationalist, Italian and German colours. The troops began their entry at 1 p.m. According to an official wireless announcement political refugees poured into the streets, cheering General Franco, and the streets later were filled with cheering, dancing and singing crowds. Strangers embraced each other, many being in tears. The first food lorries were enthusiastically welcomed, the Nationalists distributing supplies of chocolate, tinned food and fruit. The new Nationalist Mayor of Madrid has ordered the release of all political prisoners. President Besteiro, the only responsible Republican leader left in Madrid, in a Nationalist broadcast, stated that not a drop of blood bad been shed during the occupation of the city. UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. It is reported from Biarritz that a Nationalist wireless message Irom Burgos announced that General Mafia (Republican leader) has agreed upon the unconditional surrender of Madrid. The Defence Council’s radio has confirmed the surrender and has advised the population to hoist the white flag. A Paris message states that Colonel Casado, who is Minister for Defence in the Defence Council, is reported to have fled to an unknown destination. A message from Valencia states that the members of the National Defence Council have arrived in Valencia and arc believed to be negotiating ior the early entry of General franco s troops into Valencia.