WITHDRAWAL PLAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 309, 11 October 1938, Page 5

WITHDRAWAL PLAN

ITALIANS MAKE A START. TEN THOUSAND MEN IN SPAIN. “THE MAXIMUM CONCESSION.” (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, October 10. The Milan correspondent of “Tho Times” reports that the Italian legionaries whom General Franco is sending home have assembled at Rioja, whence they will proceed to Naples iu a few days. The newspaper “Corriere Della Sera” says that they took part in most important battles during the last 21 months, dosing 4000 killed and 9000 wounded.

A semi-official communique issued in Rome since midnight makes it clear that Signor Mussolini regards the withdrawal of 10,000 men from Spain as Italy’s maximum concession to procure ratification of the British and Italian agreement.

The communique adds, that the withdrawal is not connected with the decisions of the Non-Intervention Committee nor with international political situations in the Mediterranean, but that it was decided long before the Munich agreement.

“Reports of a discussion-of a Mediterranean pact are misleading and premature,” the communique also states. Reuter’s correspondent at Rome says that it is noted that only infantrymen arc beiug withdrawn. \

’ General Franco is reported to have declared that ho still requires Italian airmen, who are playing a most important part in the offensive, in the Ebro Valley,

The correspondent adds that the Italians are anxiously waiting to hear whether the withdrawal of infantrymen will satisfy Britain. The Rome correspondent of the British United Press states that an official communique issued as a dispatch from Salamanca states r

* “General Franco is preparing for the immediate repatriation of Italian volunteers* who have been in Spain for more than 18 consecutive months. Through this substantial withdrawal, Nationalist Spain is contributing in an efficient manner to the establishment of international faith, besides satisfying tlio desires expressed by the Non-Inter-vention Committee.”

Mr F. Hemming (secretary to tho Non-Intervention Committee) lias left London for Burgos to explain the details of tlio Non-Intervention Committee’s plan for the withdrawal of volunteers by both sides in Spain to General Franco’s administration.

Reuter’s correspondent at Burgos states that General Franco 4 is reported to have agreed to the imminent withdrawal of about 30 per cent, of the volunteers, representing 10,000 men. The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that it is hoped that tlie framework of the proposals for a settlement of the Spanish question will be ready for the reassembly of Parliament on November 1. —.—. i t . ' ' THE ANGLO-ITALIAN PACT. MORE SUBSTANTIAL GESTURE NEEDED. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, October 10. A correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says that official circles are pleased that Italy intends the withdrawal of 10,000 troops from Spain, but is understood that a more substantial gesture is necessary before the AngloItalian Pact can be implemented. Further withdrawals are {expected by stages.

Latest reports from official observers iu Spain estimate that the Italian troops total 30,000.