THE NEW SPAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 May 1938, Page 6

THE NEW SPAIN

REPUBLICAN AIMS. SYDNEY, May 5The Consul-General for Spain, Senor Ricardo Baeza, has received from his Government a cable message setting out its war aims and its programme of natiomV reconstruction, as follows: — (1) The absolute independence and integrity of Spain. A Spain completely free from all foreign interference, with peninsular and island territory intact, and conserving protectorate zones assigned to Spain by international conventions so long as these conventions are not modified with Spain's assent. (2) Liberation of Spanish territory from the foreign military forces which have invaded it as well as from those elements which have come to Spain since July, 1936, under the pretext of technical collaboration and which are trying to dominate the legal and economic life of Spain for their own benefit.

(3) A people’s republic, based on principles of pure democracy. (4) The legal and social structure of the republic will be the result of the nation’s will, freely expressed by means of a plebiscite which will take place as soon as the war is over, and which will be carried out with full guarantees to ensure those participating against any possible reprisal15) Respect for the liberties of the various religions without prejudice to the national unity of Spain. Protection for the development of the personality and characteristics of the various peoples forming part of Spain. (6) Guarantee of full rights to citizens in civil and social life, freedom of conscience, and the free exercise of religious belief and practice. (7) Guarantees for property legitimately acquired within the limits im-

, posed by the supreme interest of the . .-.tl ■. a. u 'i : etic:i -.f the I producer. The State will encourage : the development of small property, ■will guarantee a livelihood lor each i family, and will stimulate every measure leading to the improvement let tlit- producing classes. The proi nutty and legitimate interests of those I foreigners who have not added the rebellion will be respected, and inquiries will be opened regarding compensation which may be due to them owing to damage involuntarily caused during the course of the war. For tho study of such damage, the Government has already set up a Foreign i Claims Commission. FUTURE OF THE ARMY. (S) A thorough agrarian reform which, will liquidate the old, seniileudal aristocratic system of property. A new Spain will be based on a solid democracy of peasants, who will be the owners of the land which they cultivate. (9) The State will guarantee the rights of the worker by means of advanced social legislation. (10) The cultural, physical, and moral improvement of the race will be of prime concern. (11) Tho Spanish Army will be free from all hegemony of tendency or party, and the people will see in it the sure instrument for the defence of their liberties and independence. (12) Tho Spanish State reaffirms the renunciation of war as art instrument of national policy. It reaffirms its rights and, as a Mediterranean Power, demands a place in the council of nations. (13) A broad amnesty for all those Spaniards who wish to co-operate in i the immense task of the reconstruction of Spain. He who does not reI press all idea of vengeance and reprisal will be a traitor to the destinies of the country.