Barcelona s Fall does not End Spanish War

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 7

Barcelona s Fall does not End Spanish War

(Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON, January 28. k COMMUNIQUE issued by the Spanish Nationalists asserts that the Republicans abandoned in Barcelona 70 guns, 1000 machine guns and 15,000,000 litres of petrol in underground tanks, says a message from Salamanca.

A chest, unearthed in the palace of Dr. Negrin, Republican Premier, contained millions of foreign coins, and a number of necklaces and other jewels. In the cest also were two crowns, one of which is believed to have belonged to the Virgin of the Sanctuary at Toledo.

Continuing their advance from Barcelona, General Franco’s forces to*6ay captured Caldetas, where the foreign embassies are situated, and also the entire coastline between Barcelona and Arenys del Mar. Police are replacing troops going to the front from Barcelona, where the food problem is satisfactorily being solved.

In a broadcast speech, Dr. Negrin said that, although Spain was experiencing the most difficult phase 'of the war, the enemies who hoped that the Republic would collapse when Barcelona fell were destined to be frustrated. He emphasised the decision to fight on, and said reserves of troops and material had arrived in Catalonia from the centre of Spain. The spirit of sacrifice would ensure victory. A statement from the Spanish Embassy in London points out that the Republicans possess an army of approximately 700,000 men, govern 10,000,000 people, and hold 11 capitals and important ports. It is announced from Brussels that M. Polain has been appointed Belgian representative at Burgos. The Spanish Republicans also are resuming relations with Belgium by the nomination of a charge d’affaires. Relations were broken off when the Belgian Government decided some time ago to recognise General Franco:

SAYS DR. NEGRIN

The Barcelona correspondent of “The Times” says that marching north from Barcelona the insurgents press the broken Loyalist army towards France, occupying all villages between Granollers and the coast, and securing immense booty./ Medical services tend thousands of abandoned wounded. ' \

The military governor-general of Arenas, broadcast General Franco’s promise to respect Catalan aspirations, language ,and customs if Spanish unity is not'threatened. Great strides have been made towards normality in Barcelona. The occupation passed off without incident, the troops maintaining magnificent discipline. A tour of the harbour revealed palling desolation from bombing and fires.

Long files of Loyalist prisoners trudge uphill toward Mount Juich fortress pending separation of the innocent from the guilty. One hundred former members of the International Brigade and several thousand refugees were jammed in darkness in a railway tunnel at Cerbere for 48 hours, without food or water, awaiting permission to enter France.

Between 12,000 and 15,000 refugees from Spain crossed into France yesterday, and thousands more, mostly women, children and wounded soldiers are massing on the frontier between La Junquera and Le Perthus. The Perpignan representative of the “Daily Telegraph” says that thousands of refugee camp fires twinkle on the hillsides tonight. Food was distributed to the refugees. A powerful revolving beacon flashing over Leperthus is a guide to the refugees, and a warning to aviators not to Ipomb north thereof.

The refugee situation is gradually becoming controllable. A 15 mile safety corridor is being organised, subject to General Franco’s goodwill.