DEMAND REPEATED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19898, 28 March 1939, Page 5

DEMAND REPEATED

CALL TO MADRID OFFERS OF PARDON “PATRIOTIC” SURRENDER NATIONALIST ADVANCE DRIVE OF 25 MILES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 28. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 27. The Burgos correspondent of the British United Press says that the Spanish Nationalist leader, General Franco, in a broadcast address to the Republic, said: “The entire world and your own leaders recognise the Nationalist victory. We adhere to our broadcast offers of pardon, but the courts will deal with crimes committed during the Red domination. “Patriotism makes surrender honourable. It is criminal to spill blood for the safety of a few. It is needless to await general • terms ■ of surrender, which are difficult to obtain. “Therefore, a great new offensive is being launched. Resistance will be in vain. Your fleet is lost. You are blockaded at sea. “We could obtain retribution for the blood uselessly spilled by postponing the surrender. Save your innocent soldiers from catastrophe by hoisting the white flag.” Demand for Air Fleet

The Perpignan correspondent of the British United Press says the Minister of Education, Senor Jose Del Rio, on behalf of the Republican Defence Council, stated that General Franco had demanded the handing over of the Republican air fleet as a symbol of surrender. The Republicans had promised this for to-day and had asked to have the place and time stated. It was announced subsequently that the air fleet might have been handed over yesterday afternoon, to which Burgos brutally replied; “In view of the imminent advances on several fronts, we are unable to accept anything. We advise you to hoist the white flag before the city is taken.” Senor Del Rio appeals to the Republicans not to act individually, but to abide by the orders of the Defence Council. Push on Cordoba Front

A Nationalist communique issued at Salamanca claims that troops advanced to a depth of 25 miles on the Cordoba front. It adds that the entire battalions of Republicans, including officers, hoisted the white flag. The prisoners and deserters aiready exceed 10,000. The Nationalists also claim that they captured large quantities of arms and materials, including ( several artillery batteries. A Burgos message states that the Nationalists have surrounded the mercury mines at Almedan. . The Independent Cable Service reports -the reception in Pflris of a Madrid radio announcing that the junta was determined to fight on. Lisbon stated that Republican deserters had told Nationalists that fighting had occurred in Madrid between civilians and troops, i Seville messages state that the Nationalist forces are 22 miles from Jaen. Ten thousand prisoners have been taken. The Nationalists crossed the Republican fortifications between Puerto Calatraveno and Penarroya, but were held up by concrete-lined trenches and galleries in. the Pedroches Valley. Generals Miaja, Matallana and Menedez have arrived at Valencia.

Madrid reported this evening that there was no sign of the offensive. The road to Valencia was reported to be crowded with refugees.