FRANCO DEFIANT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23129, 30 August 1938, Page 11

FRANCO DEFIANT

"FRUITS OF "VICTORY" SNEER AT WITHDRAWAL PLAN REPORTED OFFER TO EX-KING ALFONSO REJECTS TERMS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received August tM), 1.20 ft.ni.) LONDON, August 20 "Nationalist Spain will not allow anyone to rob lier of the fruits of victory," declared General Franco, in an interview at Burgos regarding the Non-Intervention Committee's plan, which he denounced as unduly favouring the "Reds." The Basle correspondent of the Daily Herald says General Franco lias invited ex-King Alfonso to return to Spain in the event of the rebels winning the civil war. It is understood that Alfonso has refused, as lie does not agree to General Franco's terms, which would leave him in the same role in regard to General Franco as King Victor Emmanuel has to Signor Mussolini. Senor Prieto, in an address to the Spanish Socialist Congress, appealed for a loan from America, "to which Spain gave life and now turns in the moment of her prostration." Spain, he said, would never he allowed to fall under foreign domination. "Whoever won the war, she would be ruined and large foreign loans would be necessary for reconstruction, but not at the cost of mortgaging her independence. "Winning the war, we shall bo less compromised than General Iranco because we will not have to pay an enemy's debts," said Senor Prieto. General Franco could not be independent—lie never had the money to carry on, but relied upon foreign credits.

PLAN IN MELTING-POT

FRANCO'S ATTITUDE RESERVATIONS IN NOTE IMPORTANT CONDITIONS MADE LONDON, August 22 Britain's plan to end the intervention of foreign combatants in tlie Spanish war is likely to be thrown back into the melting-pot. The reservations made by General Franco cut deeply into the roots of the carefully prepared scheme, which it was hoped would remove the danger of the Spanish conflict spreading- . The favourable points in General Franco's final comments upon the scheme are: —

(1) Acceptance of the principle of withdrawal of foreign combatants.

(2) Agreement upon 10,000 as the appropriate number with which to make a beginning.

(3) The offer of two "safety" ports for use by foreign vessels trading with Republican Spain. (4) An assurance that the Franco administration will not mortgage the soil or industry of Spain to any foreign Power. Objections to Scheme General Francois comments against the scheme are: — (1) The granting of belligerent rights must precede any agreement upon the withdrawal of foreign combatants. (2) The granting of such rights must be full and unconditional.

(3) Foreign combatants must be withdrawn from each side in equal numbers instead of in numbers proportionate to the total engaged on either side.

. (4) The land frontiers of Spain must bo closed permanently. (5) There must be no permanent independent commissions watching imports into Spain, as this would be considered humiliating.

(6) No check upon aerial traffic from outside Spain "because airports are mostly military and observation of them would 1)0 regarded as tantamount to foreign observation of defences." Committee's Alternatives These "unfavourable" conditions, nil convenient to the rebel administration, Icaw the Non-intervention Committee with the alternatives of deciding whether it is worth while going on with the plan or whether influence can be brought to bear on General Franco to modify his conditions. General Franco offers co-operation "with the object of limiting, so far as practicable, the conception of military objectives in relation to aerial bombardments."

The general's Note is critical of the non-intervention control of sea ports in Spain, and suggests that control should be exercised at the foreign ports from which ships depart for Spain.

Jn a final paragraph the Note declares:—

"Nationalist Spain is fighting for the greatness and the independence of the country.

"Jt does not consent, and never will consent, to the slightest mortgage on Spanish soil or on Spain's economic life."