LOYALIST CABINET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23731, 11 February 1939, Page 14

LOYALIST CABINET

LAST MEETING IN CATALONIA PREPARED TO MAKE PEACE CONDITIONS ANNOUNCED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) PERPIGNAN, Feb. 9. Gathering for the last time on Catalonian soil, the skeleton Republican Cabinet met in a tiny house in Leperthus early in the morning, after which Senor del Vayo announced the conditions under which it would make peace. He declared that the Government was willing to stop the war provided the safety of all was assured, that foreigners would leave Spain immediately, and that the Spaniards would be allowed to choose their own form of government by means of a plebiscite. He added that everything was not lost. The southern zone had not surrendered. General Rojo, in order to hold up the Nationalists and allow the meeting to be held, threw what was left of the two corps of the Ebro army across the Leperthus road south from Lajungueru. It was the last stand of the eastern army, which is now retreating to France. Forty thousand Republican troops crossed to France during the day. Cerbere, Bourg-Madame, and Peperthus were captured without opposition a few minutes after the last t of the retreating Spaniards ran across the international road, which the French requested the insurgents not to cross. The insurgents thereupon marched up and down the Spanish side of the road playing a band. Desperate .fighting continued till nightfall. The insurgents are pushing on towards Puigcerda. Thousands in France watched the retreating Republicans being heavily shelled. SCENES AT THE FRONTIER SPECTACLE OF MISERY PERPIGNAN, Feb. 9. The position in the Madrid zone is obscure. Although General Miaja is reported to have declared his determination to continue resistance, a message from Paris states that he has applied for a French passport and safe conduct, indicating that the central zone is preparing to capitulate. The scenes at the frontier refugee camps present a spectacle of misery. Hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children are spread over a huge area behind barbed wire, which is patrolled by Sengalese and mobile guards. Here and there children are hobbling on improvised crutches and old men, many wounded, are huddled over camp fires. In the bitter cold others are scouring the countryside to search for firewood. It is like a scence from Dantes "Inferno." Babies, rocked in the arms of weary mothers, are crying for food. The badly wounded are groaning and appealing for doctors. Distraught women are searching for missing husbands and children. ITALIAN BOMBERS ACTIVE ON LEVANTE COAST VALENCIA, Feb. 9. Twenty-three Italian bombers were active on the Levante coast throughout the day. One hundred bombs were dropped on the outskirts of Valencia and 80 on Valencia port. The British ships Stanforth and Stanbrook were seriously damaged. One hundred bombs were dropped on Cartagena and did enormous damage. PRESIDENT AZANA ARRIVAL IN FRANCE PARIS, Feb. 9. President Azana has arrived and immediately held a conference of Republicans at the Spanish Embassy. Well-informed circles express the opinion that there will be early recognition of General Franco. Le Temps says it can even be asked whether- the Republican Government has not virtually ceased to exist. GENERAL MIAJA ABANDONING RESISTANCE LONDON, Feb. 10. (Received Feb. 10, at 11 p.m.) The Daily Mail says it has been reliably stated that General Miaja has decided to abandon resistance, and a warship is being placed at his disposal at any moment. The correspondent adds that British and French recognition of General Franco is a matter of days. France yesterday sent London proposals for de jure recognition, which ,the Cabinet is considering. A message from Toulouse states that Dr Negrin and Senor del Vayo arrived by car and are staying at the Spanish Consulate.