Evening star., 1934-10-07
Palace of Government in
Barcelona Bombarded as
SeparatiSt Chiefs Declare
independence.
AZANA HEAD OF STATE;
FRANCO ORDERS ARREST
Seizure of President Companys
and Other Rebels Also Decreed.
Reinforcements Called From
Africa - Insurgents Capital
May Be Shelled From Sea.
BULLETIN.


Revolutionists in Catalonia suf-
fered a severe setback today
when President Luis Companys,
who had proclaimed the region
to be an independent state, sud-
denly decided to surrender to
Spanish authorities.
The notice of surrender came
from Companys himself in an an
nouncement made over the radio.
Manuel Azana, leader in the
Catalonian independence move
ment, was arrested by federal
troops.
Copyright, 1894, by the Associated Press.)
MADRID, october Sunday
Secession in the northeast, bloody re-
volt in the far north and utter con-
fusion in this capital faced the young
Spanish Republic today.
Blood flowed in dozens of towns. the
total of the dead being between 200
and 300.
The most menacing development of
a riotous day was Catalonia's formal
declaration of independence and the
sharp fighting which followed in the
streets of Barcelona.
Luis Companys, President OF that
state, appeared on a balcony of the
Barcelona town hall and solemnly an
nounced:
Catalonia is breaking off relations
with the rest of Spain. I de-
mand complete discipline from every
one. Long live liberty"
Reports from Catalonia said the
new republic there would take the
form of federated state, allied to the
mythical Spanish Federal Republic,
and was being formed with former
Premier Manuel Azana as chief, sever
ing all relations with the present Span
1sh regime.
Demands Allegiance Oath.
Companys demanded of Gen. Do
mingo Batet, commander of the Span
ish garrison at Barcelona, that he
swear allegiance to the new regime
Batet asked for an hour to think Ii
over.
But in less time than an hour the
authority at Madrid struck.
From Madrid Gen. Batet received
orders to declare a state of siege. As
his soldiers started posting placards
announcing the action at Madrid they
were fired on by armed civilians.
A hot fight ensued, in which the
fran SUpnt aside the
unorganized opposition.
Right up to the government build
ings the troops of Gen. Batet pressed
and for a time they surrounded the
imposing structures in which Com
panys and other officials momentarily
were prisoners.
From the government palace Com
panys and Minister of Interior Den
cas- made radio pleas for aid.
Then Dencas announced that volun-
teers guarding the government palace
had repulsed the troops.
But the appeal of the besieged pri-
soner had gone out through all Cata-
lonia, and it was reported that forces
favoring Catalonian independence were
preparing to advance on the city.
The palace after being in the hands
of the revoNItionists through the night
was taken by government troops short
" before dawn, it was announced by
the government at Madrid. Gen. Ba'
tet said the building and the head.
quarters of the ministry of interior
were taken easily, and that numerou!
prisoners had been captured. Officials
had left.
Madrid, thoroughly alarmed, imme-
diately recalled Spanish troops ir
Morocco.
The soldiers in Africa were ordered
to embark at once at Ceuta and tc
proceed to Barcelona.
1t was reported some of the troops
now garrisoned in Catalonia, particu-
larly those in Lerida, had aligned