MIAJA CONFIDENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 7

MIAJA CONFIDENT

DEFENCE OF MADRID If Foreign Supplies Are Assured PRESIDENT URGED TO RETURN [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. PARIS, Feb. 15. The Spanish Foreign Minister, Senor Del Vayo, arrived by air and urged President Azana to return to Madrid. It is understood that Senoi Azana declined. General Miaja, reporting to Senor Azana, emphasised the strength of the republican defences and insisted on his ability to maintain the resistance if supplies are assured from abroad. TO FACILITATE PEACE MORE MODERATE REPUBLICANS. NEW GOVERNMENT FORMATION. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. PARIS, Feb. 15. It is believed that Senor Del Vayo and President Azano, the Cortes speaker, Senor Martinez Barrio, and Generals Rojo and Jurando discussed the formation of a more moderate Republican Government under the leadership of Senor Barrio to facilitate peace negotiations. Dr. Negrin is reported to have offered to resign. RECOGNITION OF FRANCO “ONLY MATTER OF TIME” BRITAIN STILL CONSIDERING (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, Feb. 15. The Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons that recognition of General Franco’s regime is still under consideration, but authorities at Whitehall admit that recognition is “only a matter of time.” FRENCH EFFORTS NECESSITY FOR FRIENDLY RELATIONS (Independent Cable Service.) Rcceiveci Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. PARIS, Feb. 15. Senator Leon Berard, former Minister of Justice, is to return to Burgos to-morrow. He said he is more certain than ever for the necessity for establishing relations with the Franco Administration. It is believed that M. Berard will ask General Franco to confirm assurances given to General Jordana ten days ago if he is successful. It is expected that the Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet, will Council of Ministers to grant General Franco de jure recognition. “Ce Soir” declares that Britain and France, planning to repeat the Minorca coup at Cartagena, threatened the Prime Minister, Dr. Negrin, that unless the Government surrenders the British and French fleets will be used to intimidate the authorities jut Cartagena. TO BE WITHDRAWN GERMAN FORCES. WHEN OTHERS DO SO. LONDON, Feb. 15. The Prime Minister stated in the House of Commons that he received an assurance at Munich from Herr Hitler that the Germans sc.—'.g in Spain would be withdrawn when the other intervention Powers have done likewise. REFUGEES IN FRANCE STREAMING BACK TO SPAIN. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. PARIS, Feb. 15. It is officially announced that there are over 340,000 Spanish refugees throughout France—lBo,ooo soldiers, 68,000 children, 63,000 women, 20,000 aged people, and 10,000 wounded. : It is estimated that 202,000 Catalonian militiamen crossed the frontier. | The refugees are streaming back tc nationalist Spain via Hendaye at the ' rate of 6000 a day.