Colonel Casado's Victory The Communist rising against the National Council
of Defence in Madrid came to an end exactly a week after its outbreak on March 7th ; the fighting continued, despite daily announcements that the revolt had been crushed, for several days after the surrender of the Communist headquarters at Canillejas. The end of the revolt clarifies much that was obscure in the situation. It is now clear that the " Com- munists " received considerable support from the civilian population, and their influence extended to three out of six Army Corps. The effect of Colonel Casado's coup is equally clear. The overthrow of the Negrin Government destroyed the last chance of securing peace terms from General Franco ; the chance was in any case slight, and depended on the Republican forces preserving their unity. The interne- cine fighting in Madrid has done much of General Franco's work for him ; and there is no reason to believe he will show any more mercy to Colonel Casado's Junta than he would have to Dr. Negrin's Government. He is now preparing to launch his last attack on Madrid in overwhelming force, and after his entry will punish his opponents with that impartial ruthlessness which he calls justice.
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