1939-02-20 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUÁRY 20, 1939

Pago. 7

SPANISH ARMISTICE Formal Peace Offer Expected From Madrid

Likely To Go To Franco Through

British Channels

Paris, To-day.

A formal peace offer will shortly be made by the Spanish Republican Government, according to well-informed Republican circles here. The offer, it is said, will be conveyed to General

Franco through the British Government.

BRITISH

PROTEST

London, To-day.

The British steamer Stan-

grove has been captured by the Spanish Nationalists and taken to Palma with a non- intervention committee ob

board. server on

It is understood a strong protest has been made to

Reuter.

It will be based on the sole condition that there be no reprisals against persons who have fought on the Republican side or who have Republi-Burgos. can sympathies.

It is added that should an agree- | conversations with General Jor- ment be reached, President Azana dona, Franco's Foreign Minister, would go to Spain if his presence since his arrival on Saturday night. was necessary.

According to informed quarters, A despatch from Burgos, the Na- the talks have concerned de jure re- tionalist capital, says that Senator cognition by France, relations of Berard, the French negotiator with France to the Republican Govern- General Franco, has arrived. It isment, and mediation. added, however, that definite de- Optimism is expressed on the velopments are likely to be defer-French side, and there seems to be red until early next week.

likelihood that agreement will be SEVERAL CONFERENCES reached in principle on all the most The British Agent at Burgos, Sir important points under discussion. Robert Hodgson, has had several-Trans-Ocean. conferences with officials of the Nationalist Foreign Ministry, but left on Saturday night for St. Jean de Luz to confer with the British

authorities there.

The Spanish Nationalist press caustically comments on the move ments of Republican officials in France, declaring that Paris has virtually become the "capital of Republican Spain."

BERARD STATEMENT

Burgos, To-day,

LORD SWINTON

MAY BECOME

AMBASSADOR IN FRANCO SPAIN

London, To-day. Viscount Swinton, former Senator Berard, in a statement, Secretary of State for Air and declares that while the Nationalist | former Secretary of State for Government is willing to give every | the Colonies, is mentioned as the facility for the resumption of train and other services between the two countries, its attitude in political issues is more reserved.

UNITED STATES MAY JOIN IN ANGLO-GERMAN TRADE TALKS

are

London, To-day. Indication received from Wash- ington, says the "Sunday Times" diplomatic correspondent, that United States industries are prepared to co-operate with Anglo-German trade groups in conversations next month on the possibility of forming cartel ar- rangements to develop foreign trade.

He adds: It is assumed that other continental countries direct- ly interested will be prepared to come into line.

It is understood that progress is being made in negotiations for a new trade agreement between Bri- tain and the Soviet which will secure greater benefits for Britain under the existing agreement.

In order to achieve this, Britain must obviously be prepared to make certain compensating conces- sions to Soviet opinion, but the scope of these are not yet clear.- Reuter.

“WIDE FIELD”

Berlin, To-day.

possible Ambassador to General The Anglo-German trade talks Franco when British recognition are expected to cover a wide field has been granted, says the "Sun- and to influence not only the eco- day Times" diplomatic correspon-nomic but also the political rela- "I am nevertheless very satisfied dent.

tions between the two countries. with the friendly reception given It is believed in Paris that an Immediate object of the conver The situation appears to revolve me and am full of hope for the armistice in Spain will be reached sations is to endeavour to reach around the British and French de- satisfactory outcome of my jour-by the end of the month, says the agreements for development of sire to obtain a clear statement |ney."

"Sunday Times" Paris correspon- Anglo-German" trade and prevent- from the Nationalists of the condi- His interview with General Jor-dent, adding that western Powers ing unhealthy competition on third tions which would obtain if sur-dana lasted two hours. To-day, Sen-are reported to be seeking an as-markets.. render was affected, but the Na-ator Berard will be seeing Senor surance from General Franco that tionalists maintain that their po-Texidor, a high official of the For- licy is perfectly clear.

"CONQUER AND CONVINCE”

Those against whom evidence of "blood guilt" exists will be court martialled, tried and sentenced, as at present in Barcelona.

General Franco has expressed the wish not only to conquer but to convince, and would prefer his so- cial relief lorries to enter Madrid rather than tanks.

Large quantities of food have already been stored outside the ca- pital ready for distribution, and 18,000 men belonging to the Public Order Corps are ready to enter the city at a moment's notice.

ATTACK UNCERTAIN

At the same time, every prepar-

ation for an offensive has been made, though in view of the dis- tance from Catalonia, it is uncer- tain how

eign Office.-Reuter.

BERARD MISSION

Paris, To-day.

and

M. Berard is having a final talk to-day with Jordana, to-day will return for the meeting of the French Council of Ministers on February 21. It is generally con- gidered that the main points which will lead to eventual recognition of General Franco will be settled by then.

The fact that France from the beginning occupied herself with the question of recognition while Bri- tain was doing her utmost to put an end to hostilities is considered a good augury for rapid settlement of outstanding questions. Reuter.

Boon General Franco's NICOLAS FRANCO DENIES REPORTS

armies will be ready to attack Ma- drid.

The Spanish Ambassador in Lon- don on Saturday called at the For-

eign Office, and It is understood, OF ARMISTICE

exchanged information regarding current aspects of the Spanish si- tuation.

Lisbon, To-day.

Nicolas Franco, brother of Gen- It is reported that the Ambassa-eral Franco, who is Ambassador to dor denied reports of a conflict of Portugal, last night denied opinion as to future policy between rumours persistent in Portuguese the Spanish President and Premier. political quarters that an armistice The Ambassador insisted on the will be concluded between the two * complete unanimity of the Repu-Spanish warring parties in the im-

blican Government--Reuter.

mediate future. LONG TALKS

His statement asserts that Bur- Burgos, To-day. 808 insists

on the unconditional Senator Berard, the French Gov-aurrender of the Republicans. ernment envoy, has been in long Trans-Ocean.

The conversations will be open- he will not join the anti-Cominterned to-morrow by Mr. G. Ashton- Pact nor form close alliances with Gwatkin, of the Commercial De- Italy and Germany.

partment of the Foreign Office, and will be continued by representa- tives of British and of German in-. dustry. Trans-Ocean.

Also that any loan Britain may make will not find its way to the

Italian and German treasuries. Reuter.

FRANCO-SYRIAN

FRANCO STANDS FRICTION

BY DEMAND

Burgos, To-day. Official circles stress that Gen- eral Franco stands firmly to the view that he alone is entitled to dictate terms on which the war will end without intervention by any other foreign power.

DEVELOPS

Paris, To-day.

A sharp conflict of opinion be- tween the Syrian Government and the French High Commissioner is now given as the immediate reason for the resignation of the Syrian Government and the proclamation of independence by Nationalist groups.

፦

de-

The terms are to be the uncon ditional surrender of the Republi- can leaders accompanied by the

It would appear that in order to handing over of all artillery and

comply with the widespread de- aircraft as a primary guarantee mand for independence, the Syrian of good faith.

Cabinet drew up a manifesto These declarations are supported manding control of the customs, by declarations from a reliablé establishment of Syrian diplomatic source that Franco at the last meet-representation in foreign coun- ing of the Cabinet reviewed the tries and the creation of Syrian entire question - of Nationalistnational army. Spain's relations with foreign pow- The manifesto was communicat- ers when the ministers unanimous ed to the French High Commis- ly decided not to deviate from the stoner and published throughout terms previously stated, name the country. ly, unconditional surrender.

It is expressly stated that the Reuter's correspondent was in-Syrian Government will recognise formed at the Foreign Office that the Instructions of French High overmuch importance should not be Commissioner only when these attached to Berard's mission have been ratified by the Syrian Reuter.

Parliament. Trana-Ocean.