REPUBLICANS READY TO TAKE OVER

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 5

REPUBLICANS READY TO TAKE OVER

Opposition To General Franco (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 12. The Spanish Republican leader, Senor Maura, stated that he was ready to take power at any time, reports the Paris correspondent of the British United Press. Senor Maura said that a Government has already been constituted under his leadership, and he would have in his hands all the necessary means for maintaining public order, which he wished to ensure at any price. The Falangist regime must be changed and the Republic restored. “The preparations are concluded and the moment has arrived,” he added. Anti-Franco representatives, on behalf of resident Spanish business men, have displaced the Falangist officials of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Paris. The Falangists left under protest. Senor Font, a Spanish Republican, said: “We are here by the will of the Spanish people. When General Franco came to power we were illegally dispossessed of our functions. We will leave only at the point of the bayonet.” The Spanish Embassy is pressing the police for prompt eviction of the Republicans and the return of the premises to General Franco’s officials.