HOPES IN SPAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19883, 9 March 1939, Page 7

HOPES IN SPAIN

FRANCO RENEWS THREAT

SWEEP TO MEDITERRANEAN

MADRID FACTION STRIFE

BOMBING OF COMMUNISTS

(Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed Mar. 8, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 7. It is believed that the prospects of peace in Spain are increasing. The new Republican Foreign Minister, Senor Besteiro, has informed England and France that he is doing his utmost to obtain a quick armistice. The Prime Minister, General Miaja is fully in agreement According to the Petit Parisien a Spanish Republican officer, believed to be the Minister of Defence, General Casado, has gone to Burgos from Madrid to negotiate an armistice with General Franco, the leader of the Nationalists.

A Nationalist broadcast at Burgos stated: “General Franco does not need a pact or surrender. He will sweep to the Mediterranean and not allow a single condition. The great hypocritical democracies can keep humanitarian manoeuvres to themselves.”

A communique broadcast from Madrid to-day stated that Republican warplanes bombed Communists on the outskirts of Madrid.

Honourable End Sought

It was stated later that the situation was not yet normal, but the Communist strongholds had been localised.

General Miaja in a broadcast said there had been some fighting for the non-existajit Government since Spain's former Cabinet went to France. The new Defence Council desired to end the war humanely and honourably. A section of Republican troops, revolting against the new Defence Council, raided the northern part of Madrid, firing from motor cars. Loyal troops returned the fire. Severe measures are being adopted to wipe out the opposition. Appeal to “Tricked” Soldiers General Casado, in a broadcast speech, said the .Communists had carried on a desperate attempt for a coup since dawn. He appealed to the tricked soldiers to change sides and support the Defence Council. The fighfing continued on the northeast boundary of the city. The Defence Council forces hold the new Ministry buildings. The troops facing the Nationalists to the west and south of Madrid are loyal to the Defence Council, whose troops are occupying strategic points throughout the city.

Radio listeners in Lisbon state that they heard General Casado 'broadcast a decree in Madrid prohibiting all traffic in the streets under penalty of death.

Burgos reports state that the Madrid radio was silent for an hour, this indicating that the Communists had seized the station.