Evening star., 1939-02-28
Gen. Franco Promises
Spain Will Maintain
lis independence
Not Disposed to Accept
Foreign Intervention,
He Tells Chamberlain

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Feb. 28.-Prime Minis.
ter Chamberlain read to the House
Of Commons today telegram from
Generalissimo Franco asserting
that the newly recognized Spanish
Nationalist government would main
tain its independence.
The Prime Minister read the mes
sage during bitter debate on Brit
aims recognition of the Nationalist
regime in which the Laborite oppo-
sition charged that ItIaly and Ger
many would dominate Spain. a.
The telegram said:
Spain is not disposed to accept
any foreign intervention which
might impair their (the Nationalist
government'S dignity or sover-
eighty"
Chamberlain also said Franco had
given the British government "as-
surances against general reprisals
for strictly political offenses."
He told the House that Britain
has received repeated assurances
from Gen. Franco on all points
raised" by Labor Leader Clement R.
Attlee-the precence of Italian and
German troops in Spain and wheth-
er Spain would come under control
OF the Rome Berlin axis.
Defends Recognition.
The Prime Minister defended rec.
ognition of the Franco regime
against labor motion Of >censure
and bitter attack on him by Attlee,
who accused him of smart trick"
Chamberlain denied Attlee's charge
that he had violated a pledge to
give Commons first news of q deci-
sion on recognition and complained
OF the opposition leaders bitter and
repeated personal attacks"
Attlee styled Chamberlain's speech
yesterday justifying recognition a
tissue of half truths which are worse
than lies" and sharply compared
him with a dictator addressing a
Fascist Grand Council
In reply, the Prime Minister as
serted that Attlee had misquoted a
speech by French Premier Daladier
in attempting to show that the cabi-
net had told the French government
| OF its recognition decision before it
informed Commons.
Attlee said the recognition marks
further stage in policy which is
steadily destroying in all democratic
countries confidence in the good
faith of Great Britain"
There should be assurance Of
clemency and amnesty to those op-
posing Franco" Attlee said, and
continued:
What have we got? We have a,
mere alleged statement by Gen.
Franco that he will see that no
one except lawbreakers will be dealt
with"
The Franco regime "the other day
in Barcelona machine-gunned a
thousand men who came back from
the Republican army" the opposi-
tion leader asserted.
1T is obvious there had been a
decision prior to last Thursday.
when the House was informed by
Mr.. prime Minister) Chamberlain
that he could make no further state
ment Con the question of recognition
of Franco" Attlee declared.
Therefore, the prime minister
was not carrying out his pledge to
the House to acquaint it with his
decision at the earliest possible
moment"
Cites Pledge to House.
Attlee referred to questions ad-
dressed to Chamberlain yesterday,
when the Premier announced to
Commons that Britain had recog-
nlzed Franco, and said:
THE Prime Minister then stated
that he was not to be cross-exam-
ined. He might have been q die
tator addressing a Fascist grand
council. I would remind him that
he is British Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister was under a
pledge to communicate to this House
at the earliest possible moment any
decision with regard to recognition
of Franco. On Thursday he had an
opportunity of acquainting this
House (of decision) but he evaded
the question which I put to him on
the subject"