MADRID CRISIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19881, 7 March 1939, Page 5

MADRID CRISIS

CABINET OUSTED

NEW DEFENCE COUNCIL

CALL TO REPUBLICANS

LEADER SOUNDS WARNING

INDEPENDENT!E DEM AND

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Mar. 7, 11.50 aim.) LONDON. Mar. (5. A message from Madrid states that the Spanish Republican Government headed by Senor Negrin has been replaced by a National Defence Council headed by General Sigismundo Casado, the commander of the Madrid forces.

The Gibraltar correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency states (hat Senor Negrin is reported to have fled from Madrid.

Madrid is reported to be calm despite the overthrow of (he Negrin Government which was effected peacefully.

The National Defence Council includes, besides General Casado, who represents the People’s Party, Senor Julian Besteiro and Senor Eduardo Vails, representing the Socialists; Senor Miguel San Andres, representing the Left Wing Republicans; Senor Wencaslao Carrillo, representing the Socialist Workers’ Union, and Senor Gonzales Marin, representing the Anarcho-Syndicalist Workers Confederation. Miaja As President General Casado, in a bi oadeast message announced that General Miaja had accepted the Presidency.

General Casaaro, ;n a broadcast speech said: “We shall resist until we receive a guarantee of peace ensuring the independence of Spain and the avoidance of reprisals.” He added: “Either we will all be saved oi we all sink. The die is cast."

Addressing Spaniards in the Nationalist zone, General Casado emphasised that their Republican brothers sought peace based on conciliation, independence and liberty and desired the nation to be free of foreign influence, and unfettered by the Imperial ambitions of others.

“In your hands lie the peace which Spain badly needs, or war which would place the country at the servwe of invaders,” he declared. . offer peace our hearts will generously respond, but if you continue uai, we will fight to the death.”

Situation Intolerable

The council issued a manifesto declaring that the situation was in o ciable inasmuch as the people lac v guidance and organisation and s>uifered absurd inactivity undci the Negrin Government. The manifesto violently attacked the Negrin Government’s “proved incapacity,” adding: “The gravity of the moment compels us no ionget to obey this handful of men in whom we have no further confidence.

The council also declared the Ncgrin Government was preparing to flee abroad, but steps had been taken to prevent this. "We cannot allow a privileged few quietly to escape abroad,” continues the manifesto, which pointed out that Senor Ncgrin had said: “Let us stand or fall together.”

“Very well, so let it be,” continued the manifesto. "We .shall resist to the utmost limit.”

The manifesto added that the council assumed full responsibility for the administration of Republican Spain and was exercising supreme authority. The Ministers of Home Affairs, Justice and Education in the Ncgrin Cabinet were later reported to have reached the Lcvante district.

It is understood that the Defence Council covers all Republican Spain. Colonel Casado rejected Senor Negrin’s offer of a generalship, saying he preferred to remain a colonel. Reports have been received in Madrid of pledges of support from the Republican armies in the Valencia area, and from Extramadura, and the Andalucian section.

General Miaja who was recalled to Madrid said on his arrival there that order prevailed in the Republican zone and the people were very satisfied with the formation of the Defence Council.

A Paris message states that Senor ißarrio, the Speaker of the Cortes, said: “General Miaja Ls a man who can agree with General Franco to restore peace to Spain. The new Defence Council is in complete agreement on the desire to end the civil war.”

Reuter's Madrid correspondent says that the balance of portents point to an orderly surrender.