NEWS OF THE WEEK T HE dramatic events of the last
week in Spain have finally destroyed the essential basis of Republican resistance to General Franco—the Frente Popular coalition. On Sunday night, after a revolt in Cartagena had been sup- pressed, Dr. Negrin's Cabinet was overthrown by the National Council of Defence in Madrid, headed by Lieu- tenant-Colonel Casado ; it was later joined by General Miaja, now its President, and Don Julian Besteiro, the moderate Socialist. The new junta has the support of all the Re- publican parties except the Communists. Dr. Negrin and Seiior Alvarez del Vayo, Dolores Ibarurri, the Communist Vice-President of the Cortes, Jesus Hernandez, the Com- missar-General of the Armies, General Modesto and Colonel Lister have left Spain ; it is reported that Lieutenant-Colonel Casado intended to have them arrested and shot. After a night of street fighting in Madrid, a Communist revolt was suppressed on Wednesday. The function of the Madrid Junta is clear : it is to suppress the Communists, still anxious to carry on the war, and negotiate the surrender to General Franco. The Junta is too weak to be able to insist on any conditions, and has made it impossible to offer any resist- ance to the 5oo,000 men General Franco has massed at the gates of Madrid. It is already rumoured that Lieu- tenant-Colonel Casado has left Madrid to discuss surrender with General Franco.
* *
