REBEL SPAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 11

REBEL SPAIN

BRITAIN'S VIEW FUTURE ATTITUDE AGREEMENT MOOTED EXCHANGE OF AGENTS DIPLOMATIC POWERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 4, 0.30 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 1 The Salamanca correspondent of of the Times says official circles in Salamanca are very optimistic about the development of the international situation, particularly regarding the attitude of Britain, with whom some form of agreement is clearly taking shape. It is realised that there is no possibility as yet of a de jure recognition of General Franco on the part of Britain, nor is de facto recognition an accurate description of the arrangement which, it is believed, will shortly be concluded. It is understood it would merely be a simple agreement for the exchange of agents and sub-agents between the two Governments. The agents, would be armed with most of the usual diplomatic privileges, and the sub-agents would exercise normal Consular functions.

The greatest importance is attached to such a step on the part of Britain, as it is felt that many countries are looking to Britain for a lead in the matter. PROPOSAL CONDEMNED LABOUR NEWSPAPER SUGGESTED AGENT NAMED RUSSIAN PRECEDENT QUOTED (Received November 4, 0.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 4 The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Herald argues that an exchange of agents with General Franco means that Britain has decided to accord nini do facto recognition. The correspondent adds: "The British Government, having decided that General Franco is going to win, has also decided that it is necessary to placate him." The British agent, a fording to the Daily Herald, will be Sir Robert Hodgson, a retired British diplomat, and General Franco's agent will be the Duke of Berwick and Alba, a former Spanish Foreign Minister. Sir Robert Hodgson, adds the newspaper, will be styled "Official agent," which was his title as British representative in Moscow from 1921 to 1924, when the Soviet was recognised de facto, but not de jure. "The British decision to recognise General Franco is monstrous and disgraceful," says the journal. "It is giving him a status he does not possess, it is also playing into the very hands of the Governments which have deeply committed themselves in an attempt to destroy the Spanish democracy."