POWERS'ATTITUDE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 7

POWERS'ATTITUDE

NEUTRALITY POLICY.

Italy Accepts French Proposal With Conditions.

RUSSIA WOULD JOIN IN.

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

LONDON, August 6.

A message from Rome states that Signor Mussolini accepted in principle the French proposals regarding a Spanish neutrality agreement. It is believed Count Ciano will inform the Ambassador, M. Chambrun, to this effect.

Attached are conditions demanding the cessation of enrolment of volunteers, public subscriptions, demonstrations and Press campaigns in favour of either side. Italy also desires information as to whether a non-intervention pledge would apply to all countries, and whether it binds both private individuals and Governments.

Italy also asks whether France proposes any method of controlling application of the principle of nonintervention in Spain.

The Soviet has intimated to France that it shares in the principle of noninterference in the internal affairs of Spain and is ready to participate in the proposed agreement. It desires Portugal to join in and also "that the assistance rendered by certain States to the rebels be immediately discontinued."

The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Mail" states that M. Blum's newspaper, "Le Populaire," announces the constitution of a body to raise money and food and to mobilise volunteers to help the Spanish Government's forces. It expects to raise £15,000 by August 15.

FOREIGN NATIONALS.

BRITISH NAVAL RESCUES

British Official Wireless (Received 1.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, August 6,

A list of British, American and foreign nationals numbering about 200, evacuated from Spain by British destroyers between July 30 and August 3, has been issued by the Foreign Office. It can now be said that the great majority of British subjects who wish to leave Spain have been evacuated. There are still many hundreds who for private or business reasons prefer to stay on at their own risk, but in view of the present unsettled conditions, and the impossibility of maintaining indefinitely facilities for the removal of those who wish to leave, British Consular authorities in Spain are making every effort to get into touch with all remaining British nationals, and are a'dvising those who are not detained by imperative reasons to take full advantage of the present opportunities.

The Postmaster-General announced that air mail services to Barcelona and Gibraltar have been suspended.

Press messages reaching London from Madrid and other areas under the control of the Government forces show a marked increase in confidence, and claim considerable successes, both in the south and north, against the insurgents. Directly contradictory reports, however, come from sources connected with the rebel armies, and the true position remains obscure.