Tragic Flight To France

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 79, 4 April 1938, Page 7

Tragic Flight To France

Terrible Sufferings in Pyrenees DEAD LITTER THE PASSES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LXJUHUN (France), 'April 1. Dejected and famished women, soino carrying babies a few months old, followed by ill-clad, half-starved children are struggling to safety on French soil across the Pyrenees in one of the most, tragic flights in history. The track over which thousands, chiefly battered Republican troops, are passing was made by means of skis by Spanish Pyrenees riflemen. Over 10,000 Republicans are reported to be cut off along the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. Thousands are already marching to the frontier. It is amazing that so many survived the crossing of the mountain passes, many completing the last stages on their hands and knees.

Women clasping babies are throwing themselves at the feet of French guards, imploring food and refuge. The French authorities cannot hope to house and feed the thousands of refugees in the mountain villages, and have decided to distribute the refugees in the pi’o-

A number of agea people had frightful experiences in the snowbound passes. Ona hospital is accommodating 500, who suffered frightfully. Soldiers of the Thirty-First Division recount stories of the hopeless plight that dictated their decision to flee from the ceaseless battering of General Franco’s guns and planes. They said that their resistance crumbled before the onslaughts of well-equipped Italians backed by hordes oi planes. Two Republican shook brigades north of Huesca were wiped out. The remainder, short of ammunition and with no planes and no artillery, decided to retreat to save themselves from annihilation. They were continually harrassed by pursuing planes. They told the authorities that the passes were littered with dead. FRANCO TROOPS AMBUSHED ADVANCE GUARD WALKS INTO TRAP AT LEEIDA BARCELONA, April 1. 1 Some of General Franco’s troops were the victims of an extraordinary ambush. Resistance at nerlda stopped at dawn, a body of troops, escorted by tanks, entered the city, after which 15,000 Republican troops hidden in houses opened fire and, it is believed, wiped out General Franco's force

The Republican Government is heavily reinforcing the front. Ten thousand volunteers have been raised in the past eight days. Ten thousand women are undergoing industrial training to replace them. . The Republicans launched an offensive on the Guadalajara front northeast of Madrid, in the hope of relieving Aragon. A Luchon crTance) message reports that the morale of refugee Republican troops, of whom 3000 to 4000 have arrived, is excellent. The French were amazed to find that some were armed only with old-fashioned sporting guns and daggers. The men stated that it was impossible to continue their resistance, as they had run out of ammunition. Some died of exhaustion in the snow or fell over precipices while escaping.

A Perpignan message says that 1000 additional refugee infantrymen from Barbastro, who penetrated the Pyrenees. have ben disarmed and interned. The flow of refugees to France continues, creating a serious problem for the French authorities, who disarmed the troops and vaccinated and fed them. A Paris message says that the Spanish Government has requested France to repatriate refugee troops, and offers to pay all expenses.

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS Received Sunday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, April 2. Field-Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode is shortly going to Spain as head of an all-British commission to superintend the exchange of war prisoners and hostages held by the two sides. REFUGEE SOLDIERS DECIDE TO RETURN TO SPAIN Received Sunday, 7 30 p r»l. LUCHON (France), April 2. Six thousand refugee militiamen held a referendum under the auspices of the French authorities to aeclae whether they would return to Republican Spain. The majority apparent'y affirmed their readiness to continue fighting but signatures to the confirmatory documents are necessary. A thousand subsequently went to Spain by train. A Barcelona message says it is officially announced that 4200 militiamen who escaped to France have expressed their desire to return to Republican Spain. BOTH SIDES CLAIM SUCCESSES Received Sunday, 7.10 p.m. SARAGOSSA, April 2. The Nationalists have captured Gandesa, an important junction commanding the roads to Tarragona and Tortosa, 25 miles from the coast. Franco’s forces claim to have defeated the International Brigades in violent counterattacks on Lerida, also that they captured Benabarre near the Catalan border. The Republicans aerially bombed

Toledo, killing 11 and injuring 34. A Madrid message states that the Republicans claim that they continued to advance on the Guadalajara,