FRANCO REGIME

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1946, Page 7

FRANCO REGIME

WARSAW INDICTMENT CASE STATED TO SECURITY COUNCIL CALL FOR CONDEMNATION (Rec. 12.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 17. The situation in Spain was brought before the Security Council to-day by Mr. Lange (Poland), who stated that General Franco’s Government was a dangerous remnant of the Axis. He pointed out that the Potsdam conference and the United Nations conference at San Francisco and the General Assembly meeting in London all condemned the Franco regime. Mr. Lange referred to the State Department’s White Book containing documents purporting to prove that General Franco aided the Axis during the war. He also quoted from letters from General Franco to Hitler, expressing allegiance to the Axis. _ He mentioned the Spanish Blue Division which fought against Russia, causing many brave Red Army soldiers to lose their lives.

Alleged Help for Axis. Mr. Lange said that Spain did everything in her power to help the Axis and gave aid and comfort to Japan. “The Franco regime during the war was an unofficial but very active ally of the Axis,” he said. “This record fully warrants moral condemnation of the Franco regime by the United Nations.”

Mr. Lange said that Franco’s Spain was not the only problem of the past, but continued to be a centre of Fascist infection which might spread throughout the world.

Mr. Lange referred to a document which he called “Secret Order No. 27” signed by General Franco. The memorandum was submitted by the Republican Government’s War Minister. It described the fortifications along the French-Spain border and. gave the dispositions of the division in the frontier zone. It said there were about 250.000 men in the frontier zone and about 450,000 further inland. France, due to General Franco’s activities, had been compelled to close the frontjier, Mr. Lange said. Friction Alleged. This was an obvious indication .that international friction existed, said Mr. Lange. “Do we have to wait until they open fire on each other?” he asked. German scientists in Spain were devising new means of war. Spain had become a refuge for tens of thousands of Nazis, including many prominent ones, who were continuing their work. There were deposits of radium-bear-ing materials in Spain, including six uranium mines.”

“The question has been raised whether atomic energy projects were actually operating in Spain,” he said. “There seems to be some indication that at least an effort is being made in this direction, though some, of the Governments represented at this table may have more information about it than they have so far been willing to disclose to the world.” Mr. Lange added that the Spanish war plants were making a Krupp type of guns on mass production schedule, also Mauser light arms.

Resolution Proposed

Mr Lange proposed that the council should adopt the following resolu“The Security Council declares that the existence of the activities qf the Franco regime have led to international friction and endangered international peace and security. In accordance with the authority vested in it ( under articles 39 and 41 of the Chaiter, the council calls on all members, of the United Nations who maintain diplomatic relations with the Franco | Government to sever such relations i immediately. The council expresses its deep sympathy to the Spanish people. It hopes and expects that the people of Spain will regain the freedom, of which they have been deprived with the aid and connivance of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. The council is convinced that the day will come soon when it will be able to welcome the Spanish nation into the community of the United Nations.” Mr Lange demanded that the council act for the following reasons: — . 1. The Franco regime was put in power with the support of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany against the will of the Spanish people, who resisted Franco and the Axis heroically for almost three years. It was the first of the Quisling governments in Europe. 2. The Franco regime was an active partner in the Axis war against the United Nations. It wilfully gave aid and comfort to our enemies. 3. The Franco regime caused a state of international friction by compelling the French Republic to close its borders with Spain by massing troops on the borders of France.

4. The Franco regime allowed Spanish territory to become a refuge for German assets and scientists engaged in pursuits dangerous to peace. The Franco Government gave refuge and encouragement to a large number of war criminals and Nazi leaders’ agents who were using the territory as a base for operations for their activities and plans of reconquest of the three continents immediately affected by these activities —Europe, Africa, and Latin America. French Support. M. Bonnet (France) supported Mr. Lange, saying that France felt that the continuation of the present

situation in Spain . constituted a threat to world peace.