POLITICAL AMNESTY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 27 February 1939, Page 7

POLITICAL AMNESTY

IF LOYALISTS SURRENDER REPORTED PLEDGE BY FRANCO BRITISH RECOGNITION EXPECTED TO-DAY f U.P.A.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrißht l LONDON, 25th February. The St. Jean de Luz correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that General Franco has promised a full political amnesty provided the republicans surrender immediately. The amnesty is not a condition of British and French re- ! cognition, but the offer will be communicated to Sir Robert Hodgson and Senator Berard, the British and French envoys in Burgos. Meanwhile if is expected in London that when Mr Chamberlain announces in the House of Commons on Monday his decision to extend full diplomatic recognition to General Franco’s Government, ho will probably indicate that certain general assurances based on a statement by General Franco have been received as to the principles which will guide the head of the Nationalist Government in administering justice in the remaining republican areas when these pass under his control. Though these assurances are inevitably stated only in broad terms, they are regarded in London as evidence that general reprisals against political leaders on the republican side will be avoided. Well-informed circles in Paris say that the day England and France recognise General Franco, President Azana will resign. NEGOTIATIONS IN BURGOS A Havass message from Burgos says that Senator Berard and General Jordana, Nationalist Foreign Ministers, completely agreed regarding the establishment of normal diplomatic relations. A Burgos report says that the FrancoSpanish conversations ended satisfactorily. General Jordana is reported to have stated that General Franco is willing to take back refugees without reprisals. Penal offenders would be charged in the criminal Courts. There would be no persecutions for political acts. Senator Berard and General Jordana reached complete agreement regarding the return from the Bank of France of Spain’s gold and other treasures, the repatriation of 400.000 refugees and the resumption of communications. General Jordana stated to-day that his conversations with Senator Berard, the French envoy, were carried on in an atmosphere of mutual courtesy which permitted some of the problems outstanding between the two neighbours to be solved in a satisfactory manner. Senator Berard, after signing an agreement resulting from the talks, left for France, considering that his official mission had terminated.