Evening star., 1939-03-02

~ WV ~ sSU"k xN NOskUuy I6COVs
nized government OF Gen. Fran
cisco Franco as the legal regime
IN Spain. President Manuel Asans
OF Republtcan government 70.
signed Tuesday, Leaving con-
ttnuance of resistance to Na-
ttonalists in hands 10 Premier
juan Ne0vin.
By the Associated Pyess.
PARIS, March 2.-France called
her world war hero, Marshal Henri
Philippe Petain, back to service To-.
day to become her first Ambassador
to Nationalist Spain.
The appointment was announced
after = cabinet meeting at Elysse
Palace as France undertook to halt
shipment Of supplies through French
ports to the Republican regime Of
Spain, In accordance with recogni-
ton Of Gen. Francois Nationalist
regime and apparently In the hope
the action would hasten the end Of
the civil war.
The o2-year-old marshal's ap-
pointment was understood to be for
an extraordinary three month mis-
slon to cover the closing phase Of
the Spanish War. It was believed
he would be succeeded by a career
diplomat.
Marshal Petain, an old acquaint.
ance Of Generalissimo Franco, both
IN Morocco and in the French Nil
ltary Academy, was counted on to
form close contacts with the Ma
tionalists and the military figures
OF the Burgos government. His major
task, however, will be to press
French demands for withdrawal Of
Italian troops from Spain.
Second Call Back to Service.
1t was the second time France had
called on the old soldier for political
service in = difficult time-he served
as war minister during the riots of
February. 1894. During the World
War Marshal Petain was commander
in chief Of French forces under the
supreme allied command Of Marshal
Foch and it was Marshal Petain who
led the defense OF Verdun.
Marshal Petain already had in
formed Premier Daladier of his &C.
ceptance Of the post after he had
been summoned from the south of
France Tuesday, the day formal
recognition was accorded the Ma
tionalists by France and Britain.
Gen. Franco promptly accepted his
appointment and it was expected
Marshal Petain would leave for Bur-
COS soon with a stan Of diplomats
tOfdcials of the British foreign
ONCE said Gen. Franco had re-
quested and received Britains
approval Of the Duke Of Alba as
his Charge d'Affaires in London.
This apparently signifled that the
duke. Gen. Frances agent In
London during the civil war.
would not be the Nationalist re-
gime's drst Ambassador to the
Court Of st. James)
Cabinet Hears Bonnet Review,
The French cabinet, In addition
to confirming Marshal Petains ap-
pointment, heard Foreign Minister
Bonnet review the international sit
uation.
The civil court at Marseille au-
thor1Sed representatives of Gen.
Franco to seize all Republican prop
erty being loaded at that Southern
French port, which has been the
Republicans principal supply point.
The French were understood to
have agreed further that National
ist agents might seize all Spanish
vessels in French ports, even II their
home port still was in Republican
hands.
The French admittedly were seek
ing . Republican surrender, hoping
thereby to force a quick withdrawal
Of Italian troops which helped Gen.
Franco in the civil war-the first
step In the French program to cur
tall Italian influence In Spain. To
end the war, the French argued,
would be to end any excuse for the
Italians remaining in Spain.
M. Bonnet discussed the situation
yesterday in . closed meeting of the
Chamber Of Deputies Foreign AZ
fairs Committee. He was reported
to have said that: Italian leaders
seem to want the Spanish war to
continue, and that Generalissimo
Franco has asked Premier Mussolini
to withdraw his Blackshirts.
Relies on Persuasion.
The only way to halt the war, M.
Bonnet was said to have argued.