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ne ee a . Page 6 of 7 peges (contimed) | . BER: 4121/43 trip ta AMERICA I was encouraged by the way in which the BASQUES in exile - On my last femiin loyal to thelr country aod ite traditionss The BASQUES are once more striving for the preservation of their heritage. They herve frequently been betrayed by their leaders, but this time nation and leaders are united in a common struggle, with a common aim, and they will remain united till ; that alm le achicveds - The BASQUE governgent mede thie proclamation under the tree of GEREIKA at the tims of { dita oonetitution. As government aad people we will accomplish our ond, will defend our noble heritage, Those who are influenced by foreign conceptions cannot understend nor grasp the fact that we are faced with the problem of existence or non-existence, There are countriss . which are never confrented with thie darger, even When, like the SPANISH democracy, they find themselves temporarily impotent. Their very spponente preserve their national customs and cheracteristice. But other PENINSULAR nations, among them our BASQUE nation are threatened with annihilation, 50 we are fighting not simply for © concept but for our very life. This the BASQUES understand, and a11 over the world they are uniting ine way that has never before been known in history. They reelise that their native land is in danger, Our aims can be summrised as follows: 1) To save the BASQUE nation. 2) To recover ite national liberty and power of self-gerernrent which guerantees ite existence end peaceful development. 3) To fight beside the other PENINSULAR nations, especially the CATALANS end GAL ICTARS, ageinst the dictatorial regime in SPATH, and to ovo-opsrate as closely end hermon- fously se poseible with SFANISH demecraoy, for the complate restoration of every- svuray se Fe foliedienienlend La lieriiataial aVeawwe =e Swe Mee . SOPSELOn OF OF thing. 4) To lend all aid, including armed force, te the UNITED NATIONS, whose Cause we bars “ never oeasod to suppert since the beginning of the war. 5) To restore after victory # pesos based on tolerance, liberty and pardon, burying hatred and repudiating the suppresion of personal liberty in the free lend of the BASQUES, ; Our adversaries are pessing through their most oritioal hour, By his definition of the totelitarien atate, GENERAL FRANCO has made it amply slear, even to those who wish to disregard it, thet he stands for the destruction of liberty, and for violence, and that, to the exdless sheme of CHRISTIANITY, he hac set himsolf up as one of the main: aprings of CHRISTIAN civilisations , _— Ro-ons has fought against this abeurd ideclogy as te bave, mor ee effectively against the totalitarian regime in SPAIN. We have caused more disazters to GENERAL FRANCO'S government than all the cannon at the front, We have conquered prejudices and destrove calumnles,converting persons who, as a result of ignorance, falee propaganda and out Worn convictions, were inolined, especially in AMERICA, to favour the advocates of oe i ' t ¥ * violonceamd oppression, ot I have often said and 2 will repeat, eapecially to you my compatriots, that we are rad not prompted hy hatred but only by lowe of Justice and what rightfully belongs to ue. iy Ke therefore consider EUZKADI as a oountry for a1] BASQUSS, irrespective of any dis- As tinotiona or differences. Ee We must not forget that we are the guarantors of the future - that we hold the only guarantee for _fatablishing pesos and freedom in our country, The fight begun in 1956 Will not sad for us until our country is as fres, and Svery aay ¥s préss on towards thet end with freah hope and seal, Many BASQUES are performing their duty, without acclaim or indiscreet publicity. The acts range from spiritual adherence and preparation for the appointed day, to sacri- fices of personal effort and property, We thank them for the increasing contributions a of * this year, for with expanding Work pur ngets expand poss Yoeons should aes “+ ~ t ~ - ’ The manifesto onda with an exhortation to a1] BASQUES to remein loyal te each other, : their customs and traditions, and to maintain the stand they hawe taken in the cause o foe ! right and freodom = For if they do this they oannet fail to triumph. Beis ge - oe 1 2 “eee a5116/42 (R a: ber ts sf aay } an: ' Foruer BASQUE diptomst whose evacuation from FRANCE wae facilitated by the BASQUE PRESIDERT;—~ woe (sontinued) ' a . 1 _ a4 (writer of covsrlng letter) « 7 aa { a RECORDS _ mi bs \ .