852.00/9013: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 7—2:05 p.m.]
417. Rochat informed us this morning that the French Consul at Madrid had just reported that the new junta was hopeful of concluding a 20-day armistice with Franco. This would afford an opportunity for those Republican leaders whose activities during the war have compromised them in Franco’s eyes to leave Spain; at the termination of the armistice there will be an unconditional surrender by the Republicans.
The Foreign Office’s information is that the overthrow of Negrin was precipitated by his efforts to organize the Communists for a fight to the finish. The Republican army leaders had been convinced for some time that it was hopeless to continue the struggle, and they had therefore ousted Negrin when it became evident that he was promoting a Communist coup. Incidentally the Foreign Office has received information from Valencia that the attempted revolt at Cartagena was part of Negrin’s plan and was not, as published in the press, instigated by the Nationalists. The Republican fleet which escaped from Cartagena arrived at Bizerta this morning and is being interned.
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