Evening star., 1946-02-05
Spanish Republicans
Plan 10 Gust Franco,
by Arms if Necessary
By NEWBOLD MOVES. d

ment-in-exile hopes that seyering
lof relations with SPANS Franco
government by the great democratic
powers will bring about the blood
less downfall of the Franco regime,
but failing such development 1t
will choose the proper moment to
signal a revolt spearheaded by 10000
armed and disciplined guerrillas, ac-
cording to DR.. Jose Giral, prime
minister Of the exiled group which
has been formally established in
Mexico since last August.
The Republican government will
take this step, II it proves neces-
sary, with great regret that Spain
must bleed again but with the con-
viction 1t Is serving the interests Of
the country" DR.. Giral told press
conference at the Hay Adams House
yesterday.
He is leaving for Paris Friday, he
said. He plans to hold conferences
with six ministers already there and
with other Spanish political leaders
In France, seeking to broaden the
present republican government by
bringing In representatives OF "polit-
ical groups now abstaining from
participation"
Negrin in London.
These are the Right Republicans,
Communists and the Socialist group
supporting DR.. Juan Negrin, former
Loyalist Premier who declined q
proffered cabinet post as foreign
minister under DR.. Giral. DIR. Negrin
is now in London, and DR.. Giral
said he felt it was quite likely that
he and the Socialist leader would
talk about the possibility of an entry
into the government by the Leftist
holdout groups.
Scouting rumors to the effect that
the non-participation OF Commun-
lists and Negrin-socialists had re-
suited in non-recognition of the
republican government by Soviet
Russia, DR.. Giral expressed the
belief that Russian recognition
would be forthcoming "very soon"
Discounts Monarchy.
He said his government did not
know why France had not rs yet
summoned to a proposed conference
delegates Of the United States and
Great Britain to discuss the posi-
bility Of a break with Franco on the
part of these three nations and q
subsequent recognition of the re-
publican government. The meeting,
he added, had been expected in
January, but there now seemed lit
tie prospect of its taking place
during the present session of the
United Nations.
In reply to questions, DR.. Giral
discounted the possibility that a
restoration of the monarchy in
Spain would clear the way for the
establishment, by peaceful methods,
OF democratic government through
free vote Of the people.
ut is clear" he said, "that the
monarchy would never have the
power or popular support to main
tain itself one day in Spain unless
Franco stands behind it, And il
Franco is still in the picture, free
vote is an impossibility." .
In Contact with Guerrillas.
Declining to answer a question as
to whether the republican govern
iment was in a position to arm the
Spanish people in the event of an
uprising against the Franco regime,
Dr.. Giral declared, You may be
sure, however, we will do what is
necessary"
He said the guerrillas in - the
mother country were loyal to his
government and in contact with it.
Jose e. Leiva, his Minister of Agri-
culture, was one of them, he pointed
out, having been chosen for the posi-
tion while still in Spain and hav-
ing subsequently made his way to
Mexico.
DR.. Giral was to talk today with
Undersecretary OF State Acheson, he
said, adding he had scheduled a
luncheon today for diplomatic rep
resentatives of those nations which
have recognized his government: !:
Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and
Venezuela.
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