INSURGENTS PLEASED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 110, 5 November 1937, Page 9

INSURGENTS PLEASED

LONDON LABOUR PAPER'S DISAPPROVAL

LONDON, November 4. The Salamanca correspondent of "The Times" says that official circles at Salamanca are most optimistic about the development in the international situation, particularly as regards the attitude of Britain with whom some form of agree-ment-is clearly taking shape. It is realised that there is no possibility as yet of de jure recognition of General Frtaco on the part of Britain, nor is de facto recognition an accurate description of the arrangement which it is believed will be concluded shortly. It is, understood it will merely be a simple agreement for the exchange of agents and sub-agents between the two Governments, the agents to be armed with most of the usual diplomatic privileges, and the sub-agents exercising normal consular, functions. The greatest importance is attached to such a step on the part of Britain, asit is felt that many countries arc looking to Britain for a lead in the matter. The diplomatic correspondent of the Labour paper the "Daily Herald" argues that exchange of agents means that Britain has decided to accord General Franco de facto recognition, and. says that the British Government, ..having decided ithat General.Franco is going to win, has also decided to placate him. The British agent, according to the "Daily Herald," will be Sir Eobert Hodgson, and General Franco's agent the Duke of Berwick and Alba. Sir Eobert Hodgson, adds the "Daily Herald," will be styled an "official agent," which, it is pointed out, was his title as British representative at Moscow from 1921 to 1924, when the Soviet was recognised de facto but not de jure. "The British decision to recognise General Franco is monstrous and disgraceful," says the "Daily Herald." "It is giving him a status he does not possess. It is also playing into the hands of the Governments which have deeply com-, mitted themselves in the attempt to destroy Spanish democracy." ,