REPORT ON SPAIN

Evening Star, Issue 25782, 3 May 1946, Page 5

REPORT ON SPAIN

SECURITY COUNCIL'S COMMITTEE MASS OF DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED NEW YORK, May 1. A communique issued after the first secret session of the Security Council’s Committee which ,is inquiring into the Franco regime announced that' preliminary consideration was given to a mass of documents and. communications, most of which urged recognition of the Spanish Republican Government. Some advocated that a new regime should be established in Spain on the basis of a free democratic election. Only two or three telegrams and letters were favourable to Franco and objected to any interference in Spanish internal affairs. The communique said M. Trygve Lie had been directed to ask every member of the United Nations to supply all the relevant material on the Spanish question, procedure, and methods of work.

Representatives of the Spanish Republican Government are standing by in readiness to give evidence if '•ailed on to do so. They published a telegram from the Republican Prime Minister, Senor Jose Giral, alleging that 560 persons were imprisoned and mistreated in Barcelonia, 25 of them being on the point of death. A further 500 were mistreated in Andalusia. FRANCO'S TRIUMPHAL TOUR MADRID, May 1. “ Those republicans who burned vour churches, assaulted your womenfolk, and brought in the International Brigade to make the streets run with blood now go about the world showing their moral level by hurling insults at Spain,” said General Franco, in a speech from the balcony of the Albacete Town Hall. General Franco said the great .crowds which welcomed him during; his twoday trip through Murcia, Cartagena, l and Albacete formed the real plebiscite of public opinion. “ You, by your magnificient demonstrations, have given the best answer to these people who attempt to masquerade behind democratic phrases. Here, indeed, is the source of my powers,” he said.