FRANCO’S DEMAND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19371, 8 July 1937, Page 5

FRANCO’S DEMAND

NOTE TO POWERS RIGHTS AS BELLIGERENT THREAT OF REPRISALS ROME PRAISES DOCUMENT REACTION IN WHITEHALL

(Elec. Till. Copyright— United Press Assn.) (Rec. July 8, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 7.

It is reported from Salamanca that General Franco, leader of the rebel forces in the Spanish civil war, has sent a Note to the Powers, demanding his recognition as a belligerent under international law, and threatening to close Spain against those “who show themselves our enemies.”

He also accuses England and France of intervention in the civil war. The Note adds: “The sacrifices that Nationalist Spain is making in the defence of Western civilisation by freeing her territory from communism and establishing .national unity entitles her to demand respect and to speak clearly to the world, and especially England and France, who have, either by action or inaction, intervened in favour of those seeking by bolshevism to destroy Spain. We have presented powerful and unanswerable reasons for demanding recognition as belligerents, but we see the justice of our cause distorted and disfigured, while silence is preserved regarding the criminal genius presiding over the Government and the entire life of Red Spai*.

“None of the countries who are morally supporting us seek territorial advantages at our expense, or alteration of the Mediterranean status quo. If the other nations, forgetting their future interests, do not satisfy that of Nationalist Spain and reply to her proofs of friendship with injustice and ill-will, they must not be surprised if to-morrow our international and economic policy closes its doors to those showing their enmity to us in the hour of need.” “A Noble Document” A message from Rome states that official circles describe General Franco’s note as a “noble document” and approve of the threat of economic reprisals which they consider to be especially aimed at Britain. It is believed that the British rearmament will be heavily handicapped if she is unable to obtain iron ore from Bilbao.

A Berlin message says that reports that Britain is seeking contact with General Franco are welcomed at the Wilhelmstrasse, where it is stated that Germany would be glad if other nations would have the same frank and friendly relations with General Franco as Germany.

General Franco’s demands are regarded by Whitehall as an ill-timed threat. The British Government’s view, according to the Daily Telegraph, is that the granting of belligerent rights can be considered only when non-Spanish aid is eliminated.

Interests In Mediterranean

France regards the question as political and considers that the situation must be regarded from the point of view of the interests in the Mediterranean at stake. France intends opening her frontier, unless effective naval control and supervision of the Portuguese land frontier is enforced.

It is stated in Paris that despite General Franco’s note, the impression is growing that he is realising that the military, naval and economic power of England and France will ultimately be more important to Spain’s future than the Italian and German self-interested support.

The Spanish Embassy in London stated that the Spanish Government does not favour granting belligerent rights. Evidence is accumulating that General Franco is prepared to dismiss his foreign troops provided the Government acts similarly, but a difficulty is likely to arise through Russia’s insistence that the Mo’ors must also be withdrawn.

Competent observers estimate that the trained armed Spanish forces with General Franco total 600,000 and those of the Government 560,000.

ATTACK BY NIGHT

LOYALIST’S CLAIM GAIN

REBELS DRIVEN BACK

(Reed. July 8, 11.30 a.m.) MADRID, July 7

The Spanish Government claims the capture of Villanueva Delacanada on the Madrid front after a brilliant night attack. It is claimed that the insurgents were driven back for a distance of 15 to 20 miles. Many prisoners were captured. A number of planes were destroyed.

LANGUAGE OF CANNON

NAZI MINISTER’S BOAST

“URGENT TASKS AHEAD”

BERLIN.,June 28. Exulting in the shelling % German warships of the Spanish town of Almeria, with the loss of 60 civilian lives, the German Minister of Propaganda, Dr. Goebbels, said: — “The language of the cannon of our warships at Almeria was clear proof that we Germans are no longer a cowardly, submissive and pacifist people.”

Admitting that his chief, Herr Hitler, had taken risky decisions, Dr. Goebbels said to 40,000 Nazis at Gelsenkirchen, in the Ruhr: "If you want to win, you have to be daring.” He warned his hearers of other urgent tasks ahead, such as the goal of winning back complete German sovereignty, apparently over territorj taken from Germany by the Versail'.e., Treaty.