REPUBLICAN RULE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 11

REPUBLICAN RULE

CHANGES IN SPAIN POSSIBILITIES DISCUSSED MADRID DEFENDER FIRM LONDON, Feb. 15 The Spanish Republican Foreign Minister, Senor del Vayo, arrived by air at Paris and urged the President, Don Manuel Azana, to return to Madrid, says a message from the French capital. It is understood that the President declined.

General Miaja, who is in charge of Central Spain, reporting to Don Manuel, emphasised the strength of the Republican defences and insisted upon his ability to maintain resistance if supplies were assured from abroad. It is believed that Senor del Vayo, Don Manuel, the Speaker of the Cortes, Senor Martinez Ba'rrio, and Generals Rojo and Jurando discussed the formation of a more moderate Government under the leadership of Senor Barrio to facilitate peace negotiations. Dr. Negrin is reported to have offered to resign the Premiership. INFLUX TO FRANCE 340,000 REFUGEES MAY RETURN TO SPAIN PARIS, Feb. 15 It is officially announced that there are 340,000 Spanish refugees throughout France, comprising 180,000 soldiers, 68,000 children, 63,000 women, 20,000 aged, and 10,000 wounded. .. :?■ It is estimated that thousands of Catalonian militiamen have crossed the frontier. Refugees are streaming back to Nationalist Spain via Hendaye at a rate of 6000 daily. From Salamanca it is announced that two Republican destroyers were hit in air raids at Alicante and Valencia. FRANCO'S REGIME RECOGNITION QUESTION LONDON, Feb. 15 The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, announced in the House of Commons that the question of recognition of General Franco was still under consideration, but Whitehall circles admit that recognition is "only a matter of time." TERMINATE THE WAR r •v, ,• .•• ••, ANXIETY OF BRITAIN ... _ .. \ | ; (Received February 16, 6.80 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 15 Asked in the House of Commons whether Britain was willing to take active steps to secure a settlement of the Spanish war on the basis that all foreign troops should be withdrawn and there should be no reprisals, and that the Spanish people Should have an opportunity of choosing their future form of Government, Mr. Chamberlain said Britain was most anxious to see the termination of the war without further bloodshed She would maintain touch with both sides in case her services should be desired to bring them together. The Government, however, did not consider it advisable at present to take the responsibility of sponsoring any particular terms of settlement. AMERICAN ATTITUDE DELAY 'N RECOGNITION (Received Vebrnary 16, 5.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Feb. 16 American officials, following advice •that Britain has granted General Franco de facto recognition, indicated that the United States will not take action pending further clarification of <ie situation. .. ; A despatch from Lima to-day stated that Peru was the first American republic to recognise General Franco.