SPAIN’S ANGER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21961, 4 March 1946, Page 3

SPAIN’S ANGER

ANTI-FRANCO TREND FRANCEJBLAMED FOMENTING STRIFE CONCERN IN AMERICA GO a.m.) LONDON, March 3. After" sitting until after midnight, the Spanish Cabinet issued a statement describing the campaign General Franco, arising from the execution of Spanish Republicans as an attempt to glorify vulgar common criminals as martyrs for a i optical ideal, says the Associated Press coi respondent. The statement added that the campaign had been internation illy organised by Commua sts to drug Spain down into chaos and disorder. The statement emphn-fi.-.ed that Gene ral Franco was determined io maintain order with all firmness and guaiantee national security. Charges Against French It accused France ff training Communists in North African -a outage schools and allowing them to organise armed expeditions to Spain. It also accused France of protecting the Spanish terrorist organisations and also of fomenting an anti-Spanish campaign at international gatherings. The statement pointed out that within a few hours of the Republicans’ executions, a rain of protests fell on the Spanish Government, even from the most remote countries. Shortly afterwards there began anti-Spanish demonstrations, and. finally, attacks on buildings of Spanish missions abroad all of which were proof of an ’aspired campaign.

American Congressional circles report that the Government is steriously concerned about the possibility of an armed conflict between France and Spain. United States officials are studying means of helping to supply combat planes for the French air force. Supply of Planes to Franco The State Department says that no information is available but from capital sources it is understood that the preliminary discussions centred on the question of whether the United States Britain or Russia were best able to supply aircraft. The Franco regime at present is spending about half its b .c'.get on .11tary preparations. Washington . t urces believe that Spain could put a. larger and better equipped army into the field than France. Plans for selling more transport planes to Spain which had L-vn far advanced were halted a few days ago owing to the Spanish si'uation Three Spanish Republican leaders, Dr. Jose Giral, president of the Spanish Republican Government, Senor Jose Irla. president of Catalonia, and Senor Aquirre. president of the Basque Government, issued a manifesto promising popular elections in Spain as soon as possible after the restoration of the republic. The exiled leaders declared their opposition to any negotiations with parties which do not accept a ‘‘completely Republican regime.”