SPANISH INDEPENDENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 February 1939, Page 7

SPANISH INDEPENDENCE

ANGLO-FRENCH ATTITUDE

POLICY OF GENEROSITY

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.]

PARIS, February 24

The Prime Minister (M. Daladier) announced that France had been officially advised by Great Britain on February 22 that the hour had come to recognise General Franco. The moment should not be allowed to slip. Fie added that he believed Great Britain was determined to recognise General Franco next week. “On all the 600 kilometres of her third frontier France makes contact with General Franco’s Government,” he said. “That is why I consider that France should have neighbourly relations with the real Spanish Government. Senor Azana (President of the Spanish Republic) has long considered the struggle hopeless. His advice to Senor Negrin is to conclude a peace.

“Thanks to collaboration with Great Britain, France can pursue a policy of generosity, and watch over the maintenance of Spain’s independence. We have big Spanish interests, and particularly from the viewpoint of international policy, must have a representative in Nationalist Spain. National security demands it. I consider that this year peace . must be defended with vigilance. “I am determined that France shall not be isolated in Spanish affairs any more than elsewhere throughout the world. This policy I will defend regardless of politics. I consider only France’s security.”; It is stated in well-informed circles that on the day England, and France recognise General Franco’s Government, Senor Azana (President of Republican Spain) will resign. The Burgos correspondent of the Havas News Agency says' that the French agent (M. Leon' Berard) and the Spanish Nationalist Foreign Minister (General Jordana y Souza) reached complete agreement about the establishment of normal diplomatic relations. They also reached agreement about the return from the Bank of France of Spain’s gold and other treasures, the repatriation of 400,000 refugees, and the resumption of communications.

REPRISALS NOT EXPECTED.

RUGBY, February 25.

When, as is anticipated, the Prime Minister announces in the Commons on Monday the Government’s decision to extend full diplomatic recognition to General Franco’s Government, he will probably indicate that certain general assurances, based on a statement by General Franco, has been received about the principles which will guide the head-, of the Nationalist Government in Spain in administering justice in the remaining Republican areas when these pass under his control. Although these assurances are inevitably stated only in broad terms, they are regarded in London as evidence that general reprisals against political leaders on the Republican side will be avoided.

TURKISH RECOGNITION.

ISTANBUL, February 24. Turkey is recognising General Franco’s Government de jure.

M. BERARD’S MISSION.

(Received February 27, 8 a.m.) BURGOS, February 26

The Nationalist Foreign Minister, in a communique, stated that the conversations between M. Berard and General Jordana were carried, on in an atmosphere of mutual courtesy, which permitted some of the problems outstanding between the two neighbours to be solved in a. satisfactory manner.

M. Berard, after the signature of the agreement resulting . from the talks, left for France, considering that his official mission had terminated.

STRUGGLE TO CONTINUE?

(Recd: Feb. .27, 11 a.m.). PARIS, February 26.

“L’lntransigeant” declares that the resignation of the Spanish Cabinet is imminent, but Colonels Lister, Modesio, and Galan, who fought to the end with the Catalan Army, told the newspaper “Le Soir,” that they had decided to continue the struggle. “We have weighed the situation carefully,” they said, “and concluded that, despite the odds against us, we can fight on, and win. People seem to forget that, if we surrender, ten times more blood will flow, than if we continue fighting. In the first case, it will be a slaughter-house of blood, whilst in the second case, it will be biood lost heroically in battle.”

POPULAR FRONT.

(Received February 27, 8 a.m.) MADRID, February 26

Leftist organisations, meeting at the invitation of tho General Union of Workers, decided that it was necessary to resume the functions of the Popular Front National Organisation, in order to continue the struggle for Spanish independence. The decision is being communicated to Premier Negrin.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Republican Left, the Republican Union, Socialist an 1 Communist Parties, two Trade Union Federations, and Anarchist Federations.

INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE.

LONDON, February 25

The British Foreign Office demands the fares from Spain, from those who are able to pay, among the repatriated members of: the International Brigade. A committeeman of their number states that they are all destitute.

BACK TO BULL-FIGHTING.

BARCELONA, February 26

Bull-fighting has been reinstated in Catalonia, after an absence of two and a-ha If years.