852.00/9078: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Valencia (Wallner) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 29—8:55 a.m.]
36. The National Defense Council is now established in Valencia. I have had a long talk with Colonel Casado who informs me that he has surrendered the whole of Republican territory and that the army has orders to raise the white flag as the Nationalists advance. He believes that the Nationalists plan a gradual occupation and will advance along the coast from the south arriving Valencia in 10 days or 2 weeks. During that time he plans to evacuate with the tacit consent of the Nationalists about 15,000 political and syndical leaders. He is optimistic that the taking over of the entire area will be as bloodless as that of Madrid.