THE FRANCO REGIME

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1946, Page 8

THE FRANCO REGIME

. BRITISH SUPPORT FOR U.S. PROPOSAL INVITATIONTO ABDICATE NEW YORK, Dec. 3. Britain to-day supported the United States resolution before the United Nations General Assembly’s Political and Security Committee proposing that General Franco should resign. “I favour a provisional government which would be replaced by a freely elected regime,” the British delegate Sir Hartley Shawcross, said. Britain would be doing nothing which might precipitate the shedding of blood over the question of Spain’s form of government whether the blood was that of British soldiers, or of the Spanish people. No Positive Results Opposing the Polish and White Russian measures to isolate Spain as long as the: Franco regime is in power, Senator T. Connally said approval of ei-the'r proposal would produce no positive results beyond cutting off the Spanish people' from the rest of the world. Poland urges the immediate breaking off of diplomatic relations by all United Nations members and White Russia desires the imposition of sanctions. , A 1 Senator Connally said that either course might well lead to civil strife and serious international complications. The various Spanish factions might be arrayed against each other and the support of various members of the United Rations might be enlisted.

Support For Poland Czechoslovakia supported the Polish resolution, the delegation' arguing that a strong stand was the only way to avert civil war in Spain. India’s delegate, Mrs. Vijaya Pandit said India would' support any unanimous action designed to end General Franco’s rule, but questioned whether diplomatic or even economic bleaks with Spain would achieve that end. India would not recommend any step strengthening General Franco. Norway’s delegate also supported the Polish resolution. Belgium and Canada supported the United States resolution. The committee adjourned without reaching a decision. SPAIN REJECTS AMERICAN CHARGE MADRID, December 3. The Spanish Foreign Ministry has sent a Note to the United States Charge d’Affaires in Madrid saying that Senator T. Connally’s proposal on Spain before the United Nations Political and Security Committee offends the Spanish nation. It is understood the Note rejects the charge of Fascism and says the people “overthrew the Communist tyranny,” foreign aid and volunteers being less than 2 per cent, effective in the civil war. The regime had been supported by the Spanish people for 10 years and did not hinder participation in the United- Nations if the United Nations respected the principles of sovereignty and independence. PRETENDER TO THE SPANISH THRONE (Recd. 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, December 4. Don Jose Larraz, a former Finance Minister under General Franco, returned from Lisbon where he had private conversations with Don Juan, Spanish Pretender, says Reuter’s Madrid correspondent. It is likely that General Franco will now have an opportunity of obtaining the Pretender’s latest views on the Spanish situation following the American appeal to General Franco to resign and hold free elections.