CENTRAL SPAIN MENACED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21280, 25 February 1939, Page 17

CENTRAL SPAIN MENACED

General Franco’s New Offensive

Close Co-operation of Italy

Moors to Participate in Struggle Vast Array Of Tanks and Aircraft United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Independent Cable Service (Received February 24, 11.46 p.m.) PARIS, February 24. It is learned that General Franco is massing 100,000 troops, including Italians and Moors, for an assault on the Central Zone in Spain. Nine hundred ‘planes will be used and at least 150 Italian tanks. “ ALL NOW READY ” RECOGNITION OF GENERAL FRANCO British Official Wireless (Received February 24, 6.0 p.m.) RUGBY, February 23. Answering a question in the House of Commons by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee), who asked if the British Government had come to any decision on recognition of General Franco, the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) said he regretted that he was not in a position to add to his previous statements on the subject. “The Times” states all is now ready for recognising General Franco. The British Foreign Office has informed the French Ambassador (M. Charles Corbin) of Cabinet’s decisiori. The British Ambassador to Paris (Sir Eric Phipps) had a similar talk with the Quai d’Orsay. The British Government no longer wishes to have the responsibility of maintaining recognition that might encourage the Republicans to endure further slaughter. It also believes that by transferring recognition it is helping in the reconstruction of Spain.

A Paris message states that the ETench Cabinet at a meeting on Monday is expected to grant General Franco de jure reccgnition. It is officially reported from The Hague that the Netherlands will be granting de jure recognition to General Franco.

The Balkan Entente have agreed to recognise General Franco, de jure.