ANTICIPATED BY BRITAIN AND FRANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1939, Page 5

ANTICIPATED BY BRITAIN AND FRANCE

Chief Thought to Hasten End of War SIMULTANEOUS RECOGNITION LIKELY LAST STAND BY REPUBLICAN ARMY IN CATALONIA By Telegraph. —Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, February 13. The diplomatic correspondent of the “The Times says that the British Government’s chief thought is to hasten the end of the war in Spain, believing that victory for General 'Franco is certain, whether it comes peacefully after surrender or by a costly victory. Therefore, Britain is not likely to advance conditions to General Franco for the recognition of his Government which involve'further loyalist sacrifices. The correspondent expresses the opinion that England and France will recognise the Franco regime simultaneously. Meanwhile it is reported from Perpignan that 25,000 Republicans who were cut off during the retreat of the Catalan armies are making a final stand in the snowy passes of the Pyrenees near the frontier town of Prats-de-Mollo. They are hemmed in on three sides and are fighting a rearguard action to cover the withdrawal of wounded and equipment by a narrow mule track. Consequently they are hurling heavy motorvehicles down the mountain side. Field-guns will follow suit when the wounded are, through.