PEACE DISCUSSIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 18 February 1939, Page 11

PEACE DISCUSSIONS

SPANISH WAR. PRESIDENT’S ACTION. REPORTED CONDITIONS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copvright.) LONDON, Feb. 17. President Azana is reported in a message from Paris to have initiated peace discussions without the approval of the Premier (Senor Negrin). They are based on: — (1) The evacuation of foreign combatants. (2) No reprisals. (3) The ending of all foreign influence once the Spaniards have settled their own affairs. Well-informed circles believe that if Genera] Franco accepts the proposals an immediate armistice is possible. It is stated that the Spanish Foreign Minister (Senor Del Vayo) made a further unsuccessful attempt to induce .President Azana to return to Madrid. Senor Azana believes that his return might he interpreted as a desire to resist the rebels to the end, whereas he, with the majority of the Republican leaders, is convinced that further resistance is impossible. The Paris correspondent of the Times, in an earlier message, said that Senor Azana favoured unconditional surrender and that the Premier (Senor Negrin) and Senor Del Vayo were holding out for assurances that the Italians will be withdrawn and that militant Republicans whose lives are endangered will be enabled to leave Spain.

One of the most important aspects of Senator Berard’s mission to Burgos is to discover whether General Franco is prepared and able to ensure the departure of the Italians and Germans.