REPORTS HOPEFUL FOR PEACE IN SPAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 11

REPORTS HOPEFUL FOR PEACE IN SPAIN.

MEDIATION TALKS. War-Weary Refugees Sweep Over Frontier. REBELS OCCUPY FIGUERAS. United Press Association. — Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) LOXDOX, February 7. Reports from Perpignan continue to be hopeful for peace following talks between the British Minister, Mr. Stevenson, M. Henry and Senor del Vayo. It is understood M. Berard, French representative in rebel Spain, will return to France to make contact with M. Bonnet.

The Parie ••orrespondent of the Independent Cable Service says the reports of a split in the .Spanish Cabinet were denied by a member of the entourage. It is stated on »otxl authority that Dr. Negrin did not seek peace terms, and there is no confirmation of reports that Senor del Vayo discussed the subject with the British Minister, Mr. Stevenson. His talks wtth the British repreeentativee yesterday concerned the exchange of prisoners.

The Loyalists yesterday etill held Figueras, to which, it is understood, Dr. Negrin, Prime Minister, returned to make contact with the military leaders, but a later message said the rebels had taken the city. Observers consider thai the rebels outdistanced their supplies, giving the Loyalists a respite. Tide of Refugees Continues. The tide* of war-weary refugees continues to sweep over the; frontier. Twjenty thousand civilians and 35,000 militiamen were waiting at dawn to enter France. The Customs at Leperthus discovered gold and silver bars valued at £100,000 hidden in floors of lorry convoys, reported to be portion of the Reserve Bank of Spain. A Paris message, says M. Sarraut, Minister of the Interior, announced that refugees all over France were costing l.'iti.OOO daily. This will probably be doubled shortly. A Perpijrnan message says the rebels occupied Fifiueras and then* Rosas. They are expected to reach the frontier this evening. The Loyalist fleet sailed from Rosas I in the direction of Toulon.

" I WANT PEACE." PRESIDENT'S ASSERTION. Independent Cable Service. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, February T. It is understood that Dr. Negrin advised the Spanish Embassy in London that h« intends to go to Valencia or Madrid to establish a government and continue resistance. General Franco is requesting British and French recognition on the grounds that the Loyalist Government does not exist. A Paris message says the President of Spain, Dr. A/aua, arrived at Collonges. 'He said: "I w&nt peace." GERMANY'S HELP. ADMISSIONS IN LOCAL PRESS. (Received 10.30 a.m.) BERLIN, February 7. The first references to the presence of German volunteers in Spain are creeping into the Press. It is admitted they have been helping General Franco since the beginning.