FRANCO’S GOVERNMENT

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1939, Page 7

FRANCO’S GOVERNMENT

DE JURE RECOGNITION By Britain and France [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 27. The Government of General Franco has now been recognised by the Government of Britain, France and Lithuania, and those of Estonia and Latvia are reported to be giving it. recognition. The Foreign Office announces that, following the accord between the French and Spanish Governments, the former has declared itself prepared to facilitate the restoration to the Nationalist Government of property belonging to the Spanish nation. The two Governments have affirmed the establishment of friendly, neighbourly relations. PARIS, February 27. The Council of Ministers has recognised General Franco. A communique states: “The Council of Ministers unanimously decided upon the de jure recognition of General Franco, and congratulated M. Berard on the happy conclusion of his mission.

M Daladier described the agreements reached after the negotiations. A new French Ambassador will be nominated during the week. The Spanish Chamber of Commerce has hoisted the Nationalist flag, and has handed over the keys to Marquis Quinones de Leon, the Nationalist representative, who is expected to become General Franco’s Ambassador here. KAUNAS, February 27. The Lithuanian Government has de- ( cided to recognise General Franco. Latvia and Estonia are reported to be doing likewise. British Recognition MR. CHAMBERLAIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT. OPPOSITION CENSURE MOTION LONDON, February 27. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, announced Britain’s recognition of the Government of General Franco. He said that it was impossible to regard the scattered Republican Government as exercising settled authority as the sovereign Government of Spain. Britain noted with satisfaction, General Franco s public statement of his determination to ensure the traditional independence of Spain. Even if the southern Republicans resisted further, there was no doubt about, the ultimate result. The prolongation of the struggle would only result in further suffering and loss of life. Recognition of General Franco’s Government, said ‘Mr Chamberlain, was unconditional. France was taking similar action to-day. Mr Chamberlain, announcing the recognition, of General Franco’s Government, said that as a result of the fall of Barcelona and over running of Catalonia, General Franco was now m control of the greater part, of Spanish territory, both on and beyond the mainland. Included in this territory were the most important industrial i centres in Spain, and the sources of most of her production. Even if the -Republican forces in the southern sector should continue to maintain some show of resistance, there could be no doubt now of the ultimate issue of the struggle, a prolongation of which could lonly result in further suffering and loss of life. Moreover, it seemed to Britain that it was impossible to regard the Spanish Republican Government, scattered as it was, and no longer exercising settled authority as the sovereign government of Spain. In these circumstances, Britain had decided to inform General Franco of its decision to recognise his Government as the Government of Spain, and formal action had been taken in this sense, that day. Mr Chamberlain added that the British Government noted with satisfaction the public statements made by General Franco, concerning the determination of himself and his Government, to secure the traditional independence of Spain, and to take proceedings only in case of those against whom criminal charges were laid. The Opposition greeted the announcement with cat-calls and cries of “Shame!”

Answering questions by the Opposition, Mr Chamberlain stated that the Cabinet had decided to leave in the hands of Lord Halifax and himself the final decision as to whether recognition should be granted, and, if so, when, and the final decision was taken over the week-end. Mr Attlee reminded Mr Chamberlain that, on February 23, he (Mr Chamberlain) said that he was not in a position to make a statement. Mr Chamberlain: It was left to myself and Lord Halifax. We reached a decision over the week-end. There was some heat in further exchanges. Mr Chamberlain said: _ I refuse to be cross-examined on details without notice.

Mr Gallacher: You should be impeached. Mr Attlee: You missed the House last week, and got away without a debate. In future, I will have questions put in another place, where I can get a proper answer. The Labour Party tabled the following censure motion, for discussion in the Commons: “That, in the opinion of the House, the decision of the Government, to grant unconditional recognition to the Spanish insurgent force, dependent upon foreign intervention, constitutes a deliberate affront to the legitimate government of a friendly Power, is a gross breach of international traditions, and marks a further stage in a policy which is steadily destroying, in all democratic countries, confidence in the good faith of Britain.”

Mr Chamberlain intimated that the question could be debated, to-mor-row.

AMERICAN RECOGNITION. EXPECTED IN DUE COURSE. (Received February 28 11.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 28. The Secretary of State, Senator M. Cordell Hull, said that he is considering the question of recognising the Government of General Franco. He also said that he has communicated the British and French action to President Roosevelt at sea. The impression is prevalent in diplomatic circles that the United States Government will eventually recognise

the Spanish National Government, but that the time of the final decision will depend on Mr, Roosevelt. “Hour of Truth 57 Comes! FRANCO ON VICTORY. _ THE OPPOSING FACTORS. BURGOS, February 27. Coinciding with his recognition, General Franco was wildly cheered on his first public appearance here since the beginning of the Catalan offensive. He arrived secretly on February 26, accompanied by his wife and daughter. (Received February ,28, 7.55 p.m.) BURGOS, February 28. “The hour of truth has come! Today, Britain has recognised. To-mor-row it will be the whole world!” de-; clared General Franco, when he was addressing forty thousand cheering | Nationalists from the balcony of his residence. _ ' “When even those opposing us now ( recognise us, we should remember those believing in us from the first. Let us therefore, pledge friendship to those giving their blood with ours *—to our beloved Italy, to friendly | Germany, and to those South Amen- , can nations encouraging us. He continued: “Our victory has no* been won over our own brothers, but over the world—over international forces, and over Communism and Freemasonry.” Sir R. Hodgson informed the Foreign Minister that Britain had decided upon recognition. He, also requested that he be recognised as the British Charge d’Affaires. WORLD RECOGNITION OF FRANCO. (Received February 28, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. “The Times” in a leading article, says: “The recognition of General Franco is an act of appreciation. It is one accordant with Britain’s steadfast policy. The French and the British acknowledgement of General Franco signals the world acknowledgement of General Franco as the ruler of Spain. The Opposition Leader, Mr Attlee’s attack on Mr Chamberlain is a quibble.” NATIONALISTS TO BE FREED. BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT. (Received February 28, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. The French Government’s recognition of General Franco enables France to restore to Spain the prisoners who were carried along in the retreat into France by the loyalists. > Bishop of Teruel’s Fate

KILLED BY LOYALISTS, BODY FOUND BURNT. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.)] (Received February 28, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. It has been _ascertained that the body of the unidentified Bishop found (as cabled on February 24) near the frontier, is that of the Bishop of Teruel. Nationalist troops found in a gully, near the frontier 42 corpses, including that of the bishop, also Colonel Rey Harcourt, the rebel commander of Teruel, who surrendered to the loyalists. They also , *ound four* canons and two priests. The nationalists concluded that the loyalists shot them while taking them through Catalonia in the course of the re-

The Bishop of Teruel was captured when Colonel Harcourt surrendered. Their bodies were both burnt, but they were identifiable. PRISONERS SHOT. BY LOYALISTS IN RETREAT. (Received February 28, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. The Perpignan correspondent of “The Times” states: In their retreat from Catalonia into France, the loyalists shot forty-eight of their prisoners

at El Collel. At Port Demolins, they alsb shot forty-two prisoners. SPANISH ANARCHISTS. ARRESTED IN FRANCE. (Received February 28, 11.10 p.m.) TOULOUSE, February 28. The police here have .arrested thirteen alleged Spanish anarchists. They have removed them to Perpignan. ARREST OF TERRORISTS. IN BARCELONA. (Received February 28, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. The Barcelona correspondent of the British United Press says: The Nationalists continue to arrest the terrorists. DEL VAYO’S W MOVEMENTS. , (Received February 28, 11 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. Senor Del Vayo has arrived at Valencia from Paris. He immediately conferred with Dr. Negrin. REPORT ABOUT MONARCHY. LONDON, February 27. It is learned from a most reliable Spanish source in London that General

Franco intends to Invite to the Throne Don Juan, who is at present in Rome. ,

SOVIET'S APPROPRIATION. MOSCOW, February 1 28. The Soviet appropriated £27,000 for relief of Spanish refugees. reconstruction. IN CATALONIA. (Received February 28, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. The Perpignan correspondent of “The Times” says: Gangs of workers are now engaged in Catalonia 'in removing debris caused by rebel bombings, and also debris caused by the action of the loyalists in dynamiting the buildings during their retreat from Gerona and from Figueras. “STANGROVE'S” CAPTAIN. A TRAGIC END. J LONDON, February 27. The owners have been advised that ■’the master of the “Stangrove” was ; found dead, in his cabin. i The Foreign Office learns that ow-

ing to a gale on February 23, the master refused to obey the Spanish order to raise steam. The “Stangrove” dragged her anchors, and stranded on the rocks. The master refused to leave the ship, with the rest of the crew. MR CHAMBERLAIN’S POPULARITY WELLINGTON, February 28. Recent rumours that Mr Chamberlain’s days as Prime’ Minister are numbered, because of his policy of concession to totalitarian (States, during the European crisis, were emphatically discounted bv the Hon. Mrs F. Stanley, who arrived by the Awatea to-day, on a holiday visit, after spending five weeks in Australia. Mrs Stanley, who is a sister of Earl Derby, and an aunt of Mr Oliver Stanley (President-of the Board of Trade) said that she had for many years closely followed political events in 1 England, and claimed to know something of what was going on behind the scenes. She said that Mr Chamberlain’s popularity amongst the people of Great Britain had never been higher.