Those who actively sought to stop the war:
* The League of Nations: Condemned the Basque conflict and tried to mediate peace but had little practical effect.
* International Peace Organizations: Like the International Red Cross, worked to alleviate suffering and promote humanitarian aid.
* Some political figures within the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV): While generally supporting Basque autonomy, some members favored negotiated solutions over armed conflict.
* Anti-Franco elements within the Nationalist government: Some within the Spanish government, though supporting the fight against the Republicans, wanted to minimize the violence and bloodshed.
* Individual foreign powers: While not formally intervening, some countries like Britain and France were hesitant to see a complete Fascist victory and may have exerted some pressure behind the scenes for a less brutal outcome.
However, it's important to note:
* The war was a complex conflict with various sides: It wasn't just a simple fight between the Basque Nationalist Party and the Spanish government. The war encompassed internal divisions within Basque society, the Spanish Civil War as a broader conflict, and the involvement of international powers.
* The main antagonists were deeply entrenched: The Spanish government under Franco was committed to crushing Basque nationalism, while the Basque Nationalists were determined to secure their autonomy.
* The international community's response was limited: While condemning the violence, the international community was largely hesitant to intervene directly in the Spanish conflict.
Therefore, attributing the attempt to "stop" the war to one specific entity or individual is inaccurate. It was a complex conflict with numerous actors seeking to influence the outcome, but the deep divisions and lack of decisive intervention ultimately led to a tragic and bloody outcome.