FRANCO’S ENVOY AT MINORCA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 34, 10 February 1939, Page 7

FRANCO’S ENVOY AT MINORCA

CARRIED ON BRITISH WARSHIP ISLAND STRONGHOLD MAY SURRENDER LAST-MINUTE EFFORT TO AVOID BLOODSHED (By Telesrraph—Press Association— Copyright) Received Feb. 9, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 8. The diplomatic correspondent of The Times says there seems a fair chance that the Minorca talks will result in the island surrendering. The British warship Devonshire, on which General Franco's envoy travelled, has been delayed in its return to Majorca for 24 hours and an announcement can be expected on February 9.

The placing of a warship at General Franco’s disposal is likely to be misconstrued but Britain seeks to ensure that the occupation shall be wholly Spanish and also desires to curtail bloodshed and avoid reprisals. Fearing that Minorca is certain to be bombed shortly, Britain offered her services after consultation with France as the only way of bringing the two sides together. , The British idea, says the Daily Mail, is to avoid conflict in or about Minorca because of its possible effect on the general Mediterranean.situation. It is believed that Britain is prepared to facilitate a purely Spanish peace. The Daily Telegraph says that General Franco is reported to have made it known in London that he desires to come to terms with Minorca as soon as possible on a strictly Spanish basis ami without Italian and German support. Britain also favours this plan. The Daily Telegraph says that reports reaching London indicate that General Franco is increasingly anxious to re-estab-lish the monarchy as soon as possible. Regarding Italy's intentions, the Daily Telegraph says il is understood that Count Ciano informed the British Ambassador in Rome, Lord Berth, that Italy’s Spanish policy remains as stated by Signor Mussolini during Mr. Chamberlain's visit to Rome, namely that all Italian troops will be withdrawn as soon as General Franco’s victory is complete and that thereafter Italy has no intention of intervening in Spanish internal affairs. The Paris correspondent of the Mail says General Miaja is reported to have opened peace talks, seeking conditions under which the armies of Madrid ami Central Spain will lay doun arms. The Paris correspondent of the Telegraph says that in return for recognition by France, General Franco has promised Senator Berard that the occupation of Minorca will be entirely by Spaniards, for which 10,000 are already assembled. The Italians will completely withdraw from the Balearics after the war, and arms, ammunition and warplanes surrendered to France by the republicans could be retained to defray part ol the cost of harbouring refugees. An amnesty would be granted covering minor misdemeanours by militiamen.