HINTS OF PEACE PARLEYS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20511, 1 September 1936, Page 7

HINTS OF PEACE PARLEYS

GRIM SITUATION IN SPAIN

PLEA FOR SUPPRESSION OF SAVAGERY

FOREIGN AMBASSADORS ACTIVE United Press Association—By Eiestn® Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 31, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, August 30. The St. Jean de Luz correspondent of “The News Chronicle’’ considers that negotiations now beginning may lead tt> the establishment of peace. Four delegates from San Sebastian, representing the royalists, met four from Pamplona, representing the rebels, and discussed the cessation of hostilities and methods o' satisfying the claims for independi ce of Guipuzcoa, Navarre and Catalonia within the Federal system,. The Ambassadors may enlist the aid of Professor Gilbert Murray. Rift in Rebel Forces The Madrid correspondent of "The News Chronicle’’ says that Foreign Legionaries whom General Franco induced to Spain by promising extra pay, free loot and grants of land are rebelling against the insurgent generals on the Guadarrama front. Some have crossed "no man’s land” at Naval Peral and Somosierra and have surrendered. Officers overpowered 18 others who were sent to Burgos where they were shot. Others were disarmed and imprisoned. Deserters from Naval Peral assert that before their embarkation troops in three c mps in Morocco rose against General Franco. Numbers were shot and others imprisoned for refusing to take up arms against the Government. Men Not Trusted The St. Jean de Luz correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” regards the desertions which have extended to the army attacking Irun, as significant. They are so frequent that the officers cannot trust the men. Some fear that if the war does not favour the insurgents, thousands of privates in the cities behind the lines may mutiny and join the Socialists and Communists. Fate of the Republic. Meanwhile It will soon be shown whether the Government can retrieve the rapidly slipping situation, or is Impotent. There is just a chance of saving the Republic from foundering, and the coming week may be critical.

SOFTENING THE BLOWS DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIONS MOOTED British Official Wireless RUGBY, August 30. A meeting of diplomatic representatives to Spain, who are at present in Hendaye, has been considering the steps which might be taken to urge upon the contending forces in the Spanish Civil War, measures to mitigate suffering as far as possible. This humanitarian effort was the subject of a telegram to the British Ambassador on August 27, in which the proposal was most warmly supported by the British Government. It is understood that the majority of the representatives at Hendaye have not received Instructions from their Governments endorsing the proposals, and it is hoped it will be possible to proceed further very shortly. In the first Instance, approach would be made to the Spanish Government by the Argentine Ambassador, the doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, acting on behalf of his colleagues. The communication, which would not, of course, In any way Imply recognition, would be addressed to the leaders of the insurgents. Mutual Slaughter. The Valencia correspondent of “The Times,” after describing the precariousness of existence in Madrid, says that while butchery will ensue if the rebels capture the city, it is meanwhile conducting a butchery of its own. The correspondent gives details of clandestine executions, as a result of which early pedestrians see corpses in the streets and river, some being flung out of passing cars in broad daylight. A deputation of Republican Socialists, after a series of murders In the model prison, begged the British Minister, Sir Ogilvie Forbes, to Intervene. He motored to the Cabinet’s battle headquarters, and was admitted. What passed will make interesting history.

ENFORCING THE EMBARGO INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE PROPOSED United Press Association—By IClecinr Telegraph -Copyright LONDON, August 30. The adoption of measures for putting into force the embargo on the export of arms to Spain and their agreement to appoint representatives tb serve on a committee to sit in London to consider questions arising out of the situation has been notified by the Governments of several other European countries, which have accepted the non-intervention agreement, including Denmark, Poland, Turkey and Belgium.