APPEAL FOR PEACE

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1943, Page 4

APPEAL FOR PEACE

GENERAL FRANCO CALLS BELLIGERENTS.

LONDON, May 10. General Franco has called on belligerent nations to seek peace. Forecasting a deadlock in the war, in a speech at Almeria, he said: ‘Those of us serenely witnessing the struggle consider it senseless to delay peace. The world war has reached a point where neither belligerent group has power to destro- its opponent. There may be victories at great sacrifices, but sooner or later a deadlock will force the belligerents to listen to voices calling for peace—like those of Spain and the Vatican.” Cabling from Washington, the United Press says that Franco’s peace suggestions met the cool reception which greeted his earlier peace feelers from Europe. United States officials directed attention to the Casablanca pledge of unconditional Axis surrender. SPAIN TO KEEP OUT OF WAR WASHINGTON, May 9. The Spanish Ambassador to the United States (Senor de Cardenas), before going to Madrid for consultation, conferred with Mr Roosevelt. Later he told the Press that he had informed the President that “Spain every day was more decided to keep out of the war.”

U.S. Reactions

ALLIED OBJECT UNCONDITIONAL ! SURRENDER. (Rec. 10.5) NEW YpRK, May 11. The Washington correspondent ot the “New York Times” says that General Fra’nco in urging peace is regarded in Washington as speaking for Berlin, although it is pointed out that he 'has an interest in peace because an Axis defeat would imperil his regime. His statement that Spain joined in the Vatican’s efforts to bring about peace drew the comment, in informed Washington circles, that, the Vatican is not known to have made any peace proposals. Mr. Cordell Hull dismissed General Franco’s speech by reiterating that the United Nations’ object was the unconditional surrender of the Axis.

FRENCH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

LONDON, May 9.

The Algiers radio has reported that General Giraud has accepted proposals from General Catroux under which General Giraud and General de Gaulle will in turn preside at the French Executive Committee, which will have power to decide all essential matters until France is liberated. The Committee will then be replaced by a provisional council selected through general councils, a national election to be held when all war prisoners and deported workers have returned to France.