PEACE HOPES IN SPAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 17

PEACE HOPES IN SPAIN

Sir, —In your leading article under the above heading, published on February 7, you state: "In due time Senor Azana was succeeded as Prime Minister by Senor Caballero, a Communist, who was reported to have admitted the Russian Ambassador to Cabinet meetings. Rebelling against the threatened JBolshevisation of Spain, the conservatives and moderates resorted to armed resistance on July 18, 193(3, and tho war was joined." In tho interests of historical truth I would draw your attention to tho fact that your statement is incorrect. On July 18. when the Spanish civil war began, Santiozo Quiroga was Prime Minister of Spain, lie resigned in favour of Barrio, who failed to receive support from his colleagues, .loso Giralt, former Minister of Marine, then became Prime Minister. He was not a Communist. It is clear that in the critical days of July, 1936, Senor Caballero, whom you stated was a Communist, docs not come into the-picture. J. P. Hastings, j President, Spanish Medical Aid Committee.

fit was not suggested that Senor Caballero succeeded Senor Azana directlv as Prime Minister. The words used were "in due time." The political leanings of Senor Caballero are well known, and arc set out in the Times of September 5, 1936, the day following his assumption of office as Prime Minister of Republican Spain.—Ed., Herald]