852.00/8973: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Valencia (Wallner) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 18—12:22 p.m.]
18. Advices from Madrid indicate that the Government’s resistance policy is receiving strong support only from the Communists and that the desire for peace has increased under the recent cruel bombardments. On the other hand Communist attempts to increase their power have been discouraged by the military authorities in both Madrid and Valencia; their Madrid newspaper has been suppressed and the Popular Front has passed a vote of censure against their policy.
The sudden decentralization of Ministries from Madrid is regarded as a preliminary to the Government’s departure. Its prestige is not increasing.
[Page 750]Negrin is believed to be still in Madrid.
Public order is good throughout the Republic.