AN ULTIMATUM

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20735, 20 February 1939, Page 7

AN ULTIMATUM

MOVE BY PRESIDENT

THREAT TO MINISTER POSSIBLE END TO WAR (Untied Preu Amo.— Clec TsL Ccpysk*r*| LONDON, Fab. 10 K is reported from Paris that tha President of Republican Spain, Don Manuel Azana, who refuses to return to Spain, haa sent an ultimatum to the Foreign Minister, Senor del Vayo, who went to Valencia yesterday, givthe Government three days to oome to terms with General Franco, otherwise Senor Azana will proclaim as rebels the Prime Minister, Dr. Negrin, and his Cabinet.

The political correspondent of the Sunday Express says the Spanish war may end this week with a formal offer of peace from the Republicans.

The offer, according to reports from Paris, will be conveyed through Britain to General Franco, who is expected to offer mercy to his political opponents and prisoners.

BRITISH BHIP BEIZED

CAPTURE BY NATIONALISTS STRONG PROTEST IGNORED (United Press Assn.—Elee. Tel. Copyright/ LONDON, Feb. 18 It is revealed tbat the Nationalists on February 5 captured the British steamer Stangrove near Barcelona and escorted her to Majorca. The Stangrove, with a crew’ of 15, had left Valencia on February 3 with cargo. A non-intervention observer was on board.

The vessel was outside territorial waters when she wag captured. Britain on Pebruary 8 strongly protested to General Franco, but has had no reply so far.

BOMBING OP MADRID

60 KILLED, 200 WOUNDED

ITALY WILL NOT WITHDRAW (United Press Assn.—Elee. Tel. Copyright. PARIS, Feb. 18 Sixty persons were killed and 200 wounded in a bombing raid on Madrid, says a despatch from Alicante. Bombs were scattered and one fell at the crowded entrance to an underground station, killing many bystanders. Eleven Nationalist soldiers were blown up by an explosion when they were attempting to make coffee in a percolator in an abandoned building, says a message from Perpignan. The percolator bad been deliberately packed with explosives.

The Journal Relazlonl Irvtornazionali says Italy will not withdraw her troops from Spain until General Franco’s victory Is complete. His present Job Is to reduce Madrid, says a message from Rome.

APPALLING PROBLEM

400,000 SPANISH REFUGEES LACK OF FOOD AND SHELTER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) PARIS, Feb. 18 The French Cabinet is devoting today to a discussion on a report by M. Besson on the appalling problem of the 400,000 Spanish refugees. After a tour of the frontier, M. Besson reported that 165.000 soldiers were living in makeshift shelters and some in holes dug in damp sand. Thousands were subsisting only on bread and water. Owing to lack of food and shelter, 12 A per cent of the refugees are ill. Discipline is presenting difficulties. Several murders have occurred In camps and there are continual quarrels between rival factions. The refugees include 20,000* orphans. French Government tugboats are dumping into the sea all munitions taken from Spanish Republican soldiers entering Fr&noe.