PEACE TALKS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 7

PEACE TALKS

OFFER BY PRESIDENT THE WAR IN SPAIN END OF FOREIGN INFLUENCE (Unttftd Pre*» Ama. —Dec. T«l. Copy****) LONDON, Feb. 16 The President of Repubfloen Spain, Don Manuel Azana, la reported to have Initiated peaoe discussions without the approval of the Premier, Dr. Negrln, states a message from Paris. The proposal Is based, firstly, on the evacuation of foreign combatants; secondly, on a demand that there will be no reprisals; and, thirdly, on the ending of all foreign influence once the Spaniards have settled their own affairs. Well-informed circlet believe that If General Franco accepts the offer, an Immediate armistice Is possible. An earlier report said the Foreign Minister. Senor del Vayo, unsuccessfully attempted again to induce the President to return to Madrid. President Azana believes that his return would be interpreted as a desire to resist to the end, whereas he, with a majority of Republican leaders, is convinced that further resistance is Impossible. The Paris correspondent of the Times says President. Azana favours unconditional surrender. The Premier, Dr. Negrin, and Senor del Vayo, are holding out for assurances that the Italians will be withdrawn and that militant Republicans whose lives are endangered shall be enabled to leave Spain. One of the most Important aspects of M. Berard's mission to Burgos Is to discover whether General Franco is prepared and able to autre Um do* parture of the Italians and Germans.

SPANIBH GOVERNMENT REMOVAL TO VALENCIA (United Press Assn.— dec. TeL Copyright) (Received Feb. 18, 11 a.m.) MADRID, Feb. 17 The Government has moved to Valencia, the departments operating from different coastal towns. SIGNIFICANT MOVE SPANISH CONSULATE CLOSED ITALIAN SERVICES RECOGNISED (United Precs Assn.—Elec Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 18, 11.20 a.m.) GENEVA, Feb. 17 The Federal police have closed the Spanish Consulate-General and sealed the archives. LONDON, Feb. 17 It Is reliably stated tht GeneH Franco on February 15 deposited the equivalent of 176,000,000 lire in Rome as an instalment “ for services rendered.” The money Is reported to have been obtained through a powerful English and French syndicate. VIOLATION OF ABYLUM NOTE SENT TO FRANCE GENERAL FRANCOS ALLEGATION (Official Wireless* (Received Feb. 18, 11 a.m.) RUGBY. Feb- 17 The Paris correspondent of the British United Press says that General Franco has sent a note to the Foreign Office pointing out that the activities of the Republicans at the Paris Embassy have violated the principle of asylum. Seventy-nine Republican officers were collectively lined £90,500 for receiving smuggled jewels and gold from Spain. (Received Feb. 18. 1 p.m.) PARIS, Feb. 17 It is authoritatively denied that General Franco sent a note to France.

PROVISION OF FOOD IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORY HELP FOR THE CHILDREN lUnlied Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON. Feb. 16 The food situation in territories recently occupied by the Spanish Nationalists is under constant consideration by the International Commission lor Spanish Child Refugees. The chairman of the Com mission. Judge Hansen, of Norway, and the Food Controller for Spain, Mr Kershaw, of the United States, have gone to Burgos to discuss provision supplies with the Nationalist authorities. They will also meet the Infanta Beatrice, who is prominently connected with Nationalist Spain’s relief organisation. The Commission has just arranged tor about 200 tons of condensed milk to be sent to Barcelona.