FRANCO DETERMINED

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 451, 19 June 1937, Page 3

FRANCO DETERMINED

VICTORY ONLY END Peace Ardently Wished London, Jiin° 18. General Franco in an interview with a correspondent of The Times was questioned on the possibility of ending th' war by negotiation, assisted by foreign mediation. Ho declared lie ardently desired Hhe

conclusion of the war, sparing the of life and destruction thru would occur if it were secured oy a Nationalist victory. General Franco added that Britain should appreciate that an immense majority of Spaniards living in the “Red” zone, who were suffering from demagogic tyranny, hoped for liberation by a Nationalist triumph. Moreover the Red Government was responsible for thousands of crimes for i which it merited punishment; consequently the only conclusion we coufd admit was a Ncltionulist victory. The ’Dario correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the Nationalists continue their progress north and south of Bilbao but the defenders’ courageous resistance in the I centre frustrates a direct attack on 'the city. An Italian and Spanish I brigade occupied the Las Arenas I harbour entrance to Bilbao, but . apart from the burning of a few : large buildings Las Arenas suffered lilttie. Carlists advancing from Galdacano reached the road junction at Dos Gaminos, where they are only two and . a half miles from Bilbao. The well-known ammunition works., at C.ldacano have been wrecked.