Evening star., 1942-08-31
Spanish Republicans
Are Settling in Mexico
Writer Coils Roll Of 'Stotes'
Now Functionine in Exile
From Conquered Europe
Bu r. M. BOeckeZ.

Robert w. Wagner. special correspon-
Gent OF the Baltimore Sun, reports from
Mexico City that it is strongly rumored"
there that establishment in Mexico of
the seat of the Spanish Republican gov
ernment in exile will follow the early
arrival OF Juan Negrin, premier of Re-
publican Spain prior to its overthrow by
Franco in the spring of 1899, Indalecio
Prieto, former Republican minister of
war, is already in Mexico and Jose An
tonic de Aguirre, former president of
the Basque country, has recently arrived
from the United States Prieto is said
to control vast treasure removed from
Spain to Mexico before the fall of
Madrid
II the shadowy government in exile
of Republican Spain is permitted to
establish itself in Mexico-a country
which has now been at war with the
Axis for period of three months-two
of the governments" now functioning
outside their own territory will have
their seats in the Western Hemisphere
Seven of the governments in exile-Bel-
gium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Meth
erlands, Norway, Poland, Yugoslavia-
had established themselves at London
before the United States entered the war;
The absentee government of the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg has its present
seat at Montreal, Canada.
All of the governments in exile, with
the exception of the Fighting French
formerly the Free French), are headed
by the rulers or by leading statesmen of
the governments which functioned in
their homelands prior to occupation by
the Axis. Since in most cases the new
government is virtually the same as the
old, merely having transferred the seat
of its activities, most of the governments
In exile can legitimately claim the right
to exercise such governmental functions
as they are able to perform under exist
ing circumstances.
The French National Committee in
London, headed by Gen. de Gaulle, oc-
cupies somewhat different status.
France, only partially occupied by Ger
many, has theoretically independent
government at Vichy which remains in
administrative control of the unoccupied
area of France and the most populous
OF the French colonies.
All of the governments in exile have
received full recognition from the gov
ernments of Great Britain and the
United States. The United States con-
tinues to maintain diplomatic relations
with Vichy France but limited form
of recognition has been extended to the
Fighting French in colonial territories
over which they exercise effective con-
troll In July the State Department an
nounced the appointment of Admiral
Stark and Gen. Bolte as representatives
of the United States Government to
Consult with" the French National
Committee at London. The Fighting
French are receiving lend-lease assist
ance from the United States on the
which enjoy full diplomatic recognition.
A government in exile of Republican
Spain established at Mexico City would
not be likely to receive recognition from
the United States, for this country still
retains diplomatic relations with the
Franco government at Madrid-notwith-
standing the recent speeches of Gen.
Franco which have indicated that Spain
is rapidly approaching an actual armed
union with Germany and state of open
warfare with the Allies.
The United States recognized the gov
ernment of Gen. Franco on April /, 1899,
two days after the termination of the
Spanish Civil War with the surrender of
Madrid and Valencia. Franco had been
recognized by Britain and France on
February 27) On April 7 Spain an
nounced its adhesion to the German
talian-Japanese anti-Communist pact.
but on September Franco indicated his
intention of remaining neutral in the
European conflict.
IT Spain should now become a full
partner in the Axis, diplomatic relations
between Washington and Madrid would
be broken, and refugee government of
Republican Spain would be in better DO
sitlon to claim recognition from the
United States as the legitimate govern
ment of Spain.