Evening star., 1939-01-25

ULotOtuL yOOCd I|HLCfIL CUPttut. Atbt
is to conquer all of CATALONIA and
bring ciuil 1Dar to quick end. Be-
sides remaining portions Loyal
lists still hold large area OF South
eastern Spain.
By the Associated Press.
HENDAYE, France, Jan. 25.-The
insurgent command reported today
that it's troops had penetrated the
southern section of Barcelona and
by noon had extended ring of steel
around all the city except the north
ern coastal portion.
From empiacements along huge
arc nearly inclosing the third capi-
tai of the Spanish Republic insurgent
artillery was reported shelling the
city, while a steady stream of refu-
gees poured out northward along
the coastal road.
Wait at Outskirts.
1nsurgent dispatches said an ad-
vance guard of one column entered
Barcelona from the south but was
waiting in the outskirts rather than
risk further penetration until
stronger forces had been brought up.
The main body of troops was fol-
lowing by forced marches, said the
insurgent command, and was ex-
pected to begin arriving in BARGE
Iona by nightfall.
Late today large fires were re-
ported In the old quarters of
Barcelona, where thousands of refu-
gees were cut off from escape to
the north by the insurgent ring
around most of the city.
Only the road which hugs the
Mediterranean coast still was open
to hordes attempting to flee toward
the French border, and by mid
afternoon even that road was being
shelled by insurgent big guns.
Navarrese at Gates,
1nsurgent headquarters reported
Gen. Juan Yague's Moroccan corps
already in Barcelona's southern
edge. On the north and northwest
Gen. Solchaga's Navarrese were at
the gates, while the Italian Littorio
was reported moving in from the
west.
The Spanish government already
had moved to somewhere in
Corona Province"-to the north,
near the French border.
One Burgos dispatch said bitter
fighting occurred in the govern
ment capitals outskirts when the
first Moroccan and Navarrese units
entered.
Insurgent airplanes, which for
days had been bombing the city
almost necessarily. dropped leaflets
calling on the city to surrender Ito
avoid useless bloodshed."
Solsona Reported Taken.
Northwest of Barcelona insurgents
reported that the northern wing of
their armies had Occupied Solsona.
50 miles from the capital and COM
manding important highways to the
French frontier.
How strongly the government
would fight for Barcelona still was
not clear, but military observers at
the border expressed belief that only
a covering force had been left to
protect the governments withdrawal
northward, probably to Figueras, Is
miles from the French border. Most
of Barcelona apparently remained
In government hands.
A direct communication from the
capital at 1890 am. $3.50 am, e.
s, T.) said government troops still
held out in the city proper. An in
surgent dispatch predicted complete
occupation by tonight.
Gen. Frances inland columns,
converging OH Barcelona from the
west and northwest, were reported
to have captured the important town
of Tarrasa, Is miles northwest OF
Barcelona.
On this flank the insurgents were
pressing on toward the sea in a
drive to cut off Barcelona from
the north and leave the city's de-
tenders trapped and without hope
of outside help.
Ministries Evacuated.
The evacuation Of government de-
partments from Barcelona was COM
pleted during the night. The new
seat of government remained off,
cially secret, lest it become tar
get for insurgent bombing planes.
Refugees of many nationalities
clustered at Caldetas on the coast
"a miles northeast Of Barcelona,
awaiting evacuation by their war
ships standing off shore. Caldetas
long has been the site OF foreign
embassies.
Loyalists Falling Back.
Military advices said that the gov
ernment armies were gradually fall
ing back to new defense line or
ganized in advance and designed
to protect the northeastern corner
of Spain even after Barcelona's fall.
The insurgent offensive, which
began December % from lines some
80 miles west of Barcelona, quick
ened its pace as it penetrated its
chief objective-government Spain's S
third capital in the 212-year- old
war.
The insurgents superiority in guns
and planes became more telling as
(see SPAIN, Page A-31