PRESIDENT AZANA DECLINES TO RETURN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 7

PRESIDENT AZANA DECLINES TO RETURN.

INVITED TO SPAIN.

Will Resign When France Recognises Franco.

LOYALISTS TO FIGHT ON.

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LOXDOX. Februarv 20.

The British United Press Paris correspondent- says Dr. Xegrin, Prime Minister, telegraphed to President Azana asking him, in the republic's name, to go to Madrid at the earliest possible in order to assure normal constitutional working of the Government, and adding that public order had been fully restored and the populace was faithful to the Government's decisions.

President Azana secretly conferred with his ex Ministers, Senor Portela. and Senor Giral, also Senor Barrio! President of the Cortes, Mho approved President Azana's refusal to "o to Madrid.

President Azana read an ultimatum to Dr. Xegrin, in which he stated that he was doing everything to promote peace, and added that when France recognised General Franco, de jure, he would resign the Presidency and become a private citizen.

A Toulouse message says the Loyalist General Staff officers and members of the Cortes left for Valencia. They are determined to continue the fight for liberty.

The report that Herr Hitler, Signer Mussolini and General Franco would hold a conference, originated in Signor Mussolini's paper. "Popolo d'ltalia," says a Rome article. It is believed the initiative came from General Franco. Spanish Republican circles in Paris predict an early peace offer to General Franco through Britain, the sole condition being no reprisals.

Renter's Burgos correspondent says General Franco holds that he Is entitled to dictate terms, including the surrender of artillery and aircraft, and a primary guarantee of good faith.

The British United Press Burgos representative says Franco authorities describe the talks as purely informative, with a tendency to emphasise that no importance can be attached to relations with France.

The British United Press Paris correspondent says diplomatic circles suggest that General Franco assured Sir Robert Hodgson that Britain's position at Gibraltar will be respected, and adds that the Fascist falangists under encouragement by Germany and Italy are objecting to guarantees of Spain's political and territorial independence.

Following the report that Herr Hitler; Si»nor Mussolini and General Franco would confer in northern Italy in order to establish a common front on the Spanish problem, a Government spokesman in Rome formally denied that such a conference was being arranged. He said the harmony among the three totalitarian leaders was such that a meeting was not necessary.

Official quarters in Berlin also have no knowledge of any conference.