FRANCO’S ONE AIM

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 July 1937, Page 7

FRANCO’S ONE AIM

“ABSOLUTE VICTORY” RETAINING VOLUNTEERS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, July 9. After declaring to the special correspondent of “The Times” at Salamanca that the withdrawal of foreign volunteers' was impossible, General Franco added: “I want to hoar no more about, conferences, with the Red rulers, because the Nationalists have only one aim, namely, a total and absolute victory, with the object of maintaining and perfecting the Nationalist regime.” The correspondent emphasises that this statement effectively disposes of recent rumours about a possible development in the Nationalists’ attitude to. the problem of foreign volunteers. .General Franco added: “The Nationalists frankly are not interested in the problem because they consider that a solution cannot be attained. They argue that the volunteers 1 in Nationalist Spain are patriotic nationals! and therefore are bound to obey orders' from their Governments, whereas thevolunteers in Valencia-controlled Spain are 5 denationalised exiles: obeying nothing but their own will. Many of the latter have already accepted Spanish nationality. Thus' thei only power capable of removing them from Spanish soil is the Valencia Government, and any Valencia!! undertaking>of this nature, even if guaranteed by foreign would he regarded as worthless.” fi’he correspondent adds that recent rumours that General Franco is seeking Britain’s friendship because of alleged differences witli Italy and Germany are equally unfounded. NON-INTERVENTION DEADLOCK (Received July 10, 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 9. The deadlock still existed when the Non-Intervention Committee rose after an unexpectedly protracted morning’s sitting of nearlv three hours. q’he meeting will resume at 4 p.m. It is understood that-Herr -von Ribbentrop and Count Grandi stated emphatically there was’ no change in their Governments’ attitude. Britain and France were equally firm. The indications are that the meeting will appoint a committee, with possibly a neutral chairman, to probe the position. HITLER’S ADVISERS LONDON, July 8. The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says Herr Hitler, simultaneously with the meeting of the Non-Intervention Committee, summoned a conference 1 of advisers, including Field-Marshal Blomberg and General Goering. . , MR. CHAMBERLAIN’S SPEECH. RUGBY, July 9. Referring to the international sitation, in a speech at the Albert Hall, Mr. Neville Chamberlain emphasised that Britain’s policy in regard to Spain remained unchanged, namely, to prevent the conflict spreading. He considered that the difficulties would immediately be relieved, if they could agree to the . withdrawal of foreign volunteers, leaving Spain to settle her own future. The troubles that had arisen out of the civil war in Spain were only a by-product of the deeper causes of unrest in the Europe. “I had hoped,”. Mr. Chamberlain continued, "that-the projected visit of the German Foreign Minister to London would have furnished an opportunitv for exploring these difficult problems in a friendly, helpful spirit. I place great reliance upon personal contacts between influential statesmen, and I fully , share the hope of Mr. Eden, that some other occasion will present itself for discussions.” Mr. Chamberlain exemplified the* ease with which countries could' reach an agreement, if they were animated by the right spirit, by citing the recent Imperial Conferences. GERMANS DEPART. (Received July 10, 11 a.m.) PARIS, July 9. It is reported that 250 German tank and aviation technicians have returned home from Spain, ’; owing to nonrenewal of contracts. UNRULY REFUGEES.. 1 LONDON, July 9. The Basque camp near north Stoneham is being closed on July 31. Only nine hundred children remain, including seventy returned from the Salvation Army’s Home, Clapton, owing to their unruliness.