APPROACHING THE END.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 8

APPROACHING THE END.

Events in Spain suggest that the disintegration of the Republican Government is far advanced. The. President, Senor Azana, is in France and has resigned, on the ground that further resistance to the forces of General Franco would be futile and worse. The war-time Premier, Dr. Negrin, who returned to Madrid from the North avowing his determination to fight to the bitter end, has been displaced, and has since flown to France. The fleet also has sought refuge. The socalled Army Council, now in the ascendant, seems to be another group of politicians. Its apparent purpose is to bargain for terms with General Franco, but its bargaining position is weak. If, however, it does command the support of the population and is able to maintain order amongst them, it may have a certain value to General Franco, who will shortly be faced with the problems of restoring productivity and, if possible, unity, in. a country '■ impoverished and embittered by civil war. i Possibly the overthrow of the Negrin Government will make easier the capitulation of Central Spain and save the necessity for the final military campaign for which General Franco is preparing, and the outcome of which no one can doubt. 1