With rebel forces sweeping eastwards from Caspe, at the junction of the Rivers Ebro and Guadalope in n, a determined attempt is being made to cut the communications between Barcelona and Valencia. Should Gen. Franco's forces succeed in doing that, it would seem that humanly speaking the days of the Catalan: ian Government would be numbered, for thus isolated and deprived of whatever supplies the Spanish Government could afford them they would be left to fight what it appears would prove to be a losing battle. It need not follow that this ly inevitable, for the civil war in Spain has presented many surprises. A coup d'état, which started in 1936 and was expected to be finished in the course of a few da: was transformed into a civil war which, contrary to all expectations, has now lasted for nearly two years. There is some talk of the Powers intervening in an attempt to secure an armistice, but it is extremely doubtful whether Gen. Franco and his advisers, so long as they think they are on a winning wicket, will agree to anything which might tend to delay the victory they believe is in sight. The desperation of the Catalonian Government is indicated by its decision to call the class of 1941 to the colours consisting mostly of lads of 17 or 18 years of age. This report conflicts with stories of the flight of the Barcelona Government, and until further cables are to hand the situation wil remain obscure. It is, however, quite clear that the insurgents have achieved one of the major successes of their campaign, and if they do indeed bring about the fall of Barcelona the moral effect of the Loyalist troops will, it is expected be considerable. On the other hand, when dealing with possibilities in Spain it has always to be remembered that the desperation of the fighting leads to many surprising changes, and with the inspiration dominating the Loyalists it is by no means sure that they will be unable to stage a "come back.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.