RECOGNITION OF FRANCO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 50, 1 March 1939, Page 7

RECOGNITION OF FRANCO

BRITISH ANNOUNCEMENT SENSELESS PROLONGATION OF WAR HEATED EXCHANGES IN THE COMMONS [3y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] LONDON, February 27. The Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons that the Government had decided to recognise General Franco's Government. .Mr. Chamberlain said it was impossible to regard the scattered republican Government, which did not exercise settled authority, as the sovereign Government of Spain. Britain had noted with satisfaction General Franco’s public statement of his determination to ensure the traditional independence of Spain even if the republicans in the south resisted further. There was no doubt of the ultimate result. Prolongation of the struggle would only result in further suffering and loss of life. He said that the recognition of General Franco’s Government was unconditional. France was doing likewise to-day. The Opposition greeted the announcement with cat-calls and cries of “Shame!” Mr. Chamberlain intimated that the matter could be debated to-morrow. The Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Attlee, reminded Mr. Chamberlain that on February 23 he had said that he was not in a position to make a statement. Mr. Chamberlain: It was left to me andrthe Foreign Secretary. We came to our decision at the week-end. There was some heat in further exchanges. Mr. Chamberlain refused to be cross-examined on details without notice. Mr. W. Gallacher (Communist): You should be impeached. Mr. Attlee: You misled the House last week and got away without a debate. In future I will have questions put in another place, where I can get a proper answer.