PEACE TALKS INITIATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 9

PEACE TALKS INITIATED

SPANISH PRESIDENT’S MOVE TERMS FOR ACCEPTANCE BY FRANCO AN IMMEDIATE ARMISTICE POSSIBLE [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received Feb. 17, 10.20 p.m. PARIS, Feb. 17. The President, Senor Azana, is reported to have initiated peace discussions without the Premier, Dr. Negrin’s approval. They are based on:—• (1) Evacuation of foreign combatants. (2) No reprisals. (3) Ending of all foreign influence once the Spaniards have settled their own affairs. Well-informed circles believe that if General Franco accepts an immediate armistice is possible. The Foreign Minister, Senor del Vayo, unsuccessfully attempted again to induce Senor Azana to go to Madrid. Senor Azana believes that his return might be interpreted as a desire to resist to the end, whereas he, with a majority of the republican leaders, are convinced that further resistance is impossible. The London Times’ correspondent in Paris says that Senor Azana favours an unconditional surrender, but Dr. Negrin and Senor del Vayo are holding out for assurances that the°ltalians wiil be withdrawn and that militant republicans, the whole of whose lives would be endangered, would be enabled to leave Spain.

One of the most important aspects of the mission to Burgos of the French Senator, M. Berard, is to discover whether General Franco is prepared and able to insure the departure of the Italians and Germans.