THE NEW SPAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20730, 14 February 1939, Page 7

THE NEW SPAIN

ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN A CHANGING SITUATION STATE’S RESPONSIBILITY (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 14, H. 30 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 13 Asked in the House of Commons for an assurance, in view of the changed military situation in Spain, that Britain did not contemplete recognising the Nationalist authorities as the de facto or de jure Government of Spain, Mr Neville Chamberlain replied : “ It would obviously be impossible for me to give such an assurance in a situation which is changing very rapidly. I may say, however, that Britain, which is in close touch with France, as yet has taken no decision in the matter.” Asked if the House would be consulted, Mr Chamberlain said the Government must take the responsibility. Mr Arthur Henderson sought, in view of “ the unsatisfaetpry nature of the reply,” to move an adjournment of the House at the end of questions, but the Speaker refused the motion. Mr R. A. Butler said the present military situation in Spain had in no way affected the decision not to grant belligerent rights ’to the Nationalists until foreign troops are withdrawn. SURRENDER OF MINORCA BRITISH ACTION EXPLAINED EFFORT TO SAVE BLOODSHED CO-OPERATION WITH FRANCE (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 14, noon.) RUGBY, Feb. 13 Mr Neville Chamberlain, in the House of Commons at question time, gave an account of Britain’s action in connection with the visit of H.M.S. Devonshire and the surrender of Minorca. “At the request of the local authorities at Palma," he said, “the British Government undertook to convey a Spanish senior officer to Minorca, in order that he might negotiate 1 the peaceful surrender of the island. Britain previously had been informed that unless it could make the negotiations possible by providing means of communication an attack would be launched on Minorca. I thereupon, seeing that a British ship provided the only available means oi making peaceful contact with Minorca and being anxious to avoid unm pessary bloodshed, permitted application to be made for the services of the Devonshire. Britain consulted neither the Spanish Government nor the Burgos authorities, though the local authorities at Palma were, it is understood, in touch with General Franco. “ France, which was kept fully informed, approved of the action of Britain. The Devonshire duly proceeded to Minorca, and it is understood that the surrender of the island has now taken place. Britain had taken no part in the negotiations and had no responsibility for them. “The Devonshire had taken the opportunity of embarking some 450 refugees, who considered that they might run the risk of reprisal. These refugees have been landed at Marseilles, in co-operation with the French authorities.” Danger From Air Attacks Mr Chamberlain’s statement gave rise to a number of questions relating to an air attack on Port Mah6n, while the Devonshire was in the roadstead. After saying that representations had been made to General 'Franco, and being further pressed" by the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr C. R. Attlee, Dir Chamberlain said: “Perhaps I had better read the following telegram, which was received from our consul at Palma: “ ‘The Nationalist senior naval officer, who takes charge in the temporary absence of Admiral Moreno, authorises me to cite him officially as saying that the attack was carried out in disobedience to orders and is very much regretted. He promises to reply on Monday.’ ” Mr Chamberlain, in another reply, declared that he thought Britain’s position had been made perfectly clear, and he did not think there had been any misunderstanding about 'it at the time or that the facilities afforded could possibly be construed as conferring British preference on General Franco’s envoy. MORE AIR RAIDS REPUBLICAN DESTROYER HIT GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. J 3 In a despatch from Salamanca, General Franco's headquarters report hitting a Republican destroyer during an air raid on Cartagena, shooting down a Republican pursuit aeroplane, and also bombing Valencia and Chillon. A declaration aPcr a Cabinet meeting extends the Republican Government's greetings to the air, land and sea forces and the civil population of the Republican zone, says the Madrid correspondent cl' the British United Press. * d'he declaration adds: An immense task awaits the Government, which is sparing no effort to cope with a situation requiring the fervent co-opera-tion of the entire heroic national front. The die is cast. It is ours alone to find a way out of our difficult pnght by determination and common resolution. ' Recognitor by Eire It is officially announced from Dublin tin.t the ' -u 1 eminent of Eire recognises General Franco's as the ■ legitimate Goverm, ent of Spain, and : Mr H. L. Kerney, Irish Minister to Spain, is going to Burgos.