ANXIETY GROWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 193, 15 August 1936, Page 9

ANXIETY GROWS.

NEUTRALITY POLICY. Delay in Negotiations Rouses Fears. PORTUGUESE REPLY. 1 British Official Wireless. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 14. Anxiety in London over the delay • in negotiations regarding non-inter-vention in the Spanish conflict was increased by the news that within the past few days aircraft from certain European countries has arrived in Spain or is en route to that country. It became known last night that six civil aeroplanes, of which two were c British and bound for Spain, left air , ports in England during the course of 2 the day. In the absence of any agreei ment the pilots of these machines were j acting within their legal rights, anil - although the British Government agreed ! in principle to include civil aircraft in t' the proposed ban on supplies to Spain, the position in regard to them is of ( considerable difficulty and is at present 3 engaging the close' attention of the , authorities. ) The Government has powers to prohibit, by Order-in-Couneil, the export of war material and any articles capable - of being converted into naval or military ' stores. These powers extend to pre- ' volition of export of aircraft, but this does not apply to flying of individual 'planes to destinations abroad. ( Official power would no doubt suffice to arrest such traffic .once a lion-inter- , vention pact was accepted and the whole ; question of making such agreement effcc- \ tivc is being closely studied. i It is now confirmed in London that - the Portuguese Government has informed I the French and British Governments of ; its adherence in principle to the proposed agreement for noil-intervention in Spain. A subsequent cable message, states ; that the Swiss Government has prohi- • bited the export of arms and munitions I to Spain, and has forbidden nationals I I to participate in hostilities, personally or financially. Sweden has v also issued a provisional prohibition on similar lines. SERIOUS REACTIONS. Spain May Become Battlefield Of European Policies. ITALY AND GERMANY SILENT. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, August 14. A message from Rome states that Signor Mussolini's departure from the capital for the bank holiday to-morrow is interpreted as indicating that there will bo no early developments of Italy's attitude in non-intervention in Spain. Neither Italy nor Germany has replied to the French Government's appeal for non-intervention in Spain's civil war, and the delay is causing grave anxiety in London, says the diplomatic correspondent of the "Morning Post." It is seriously feared that if the negotiations fail the French Prime Minister. M. Blum, will not be able to resist the pressure from his own supporters and will ,bc forced either to sanction aid for the Spanish Government ior to resign in favour of a more extrenije Ministry. The last hope for a non-intervention policy would then vanish and Spain would openly become a battlefield of rival European policies. The British Government is doing its utmost to avoid such a development. German Attitude Stiffens. The Berlin correspondent of "The Times" says it seems clear that the German attitude regarding non-inter-vention has stiffened, partly owing to reports of French assistance to . the Madrid Government, and also because apparently there is little confidence in Berlin in the sincerity of the French proposals. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says that though the French Cabinet yesterday decided to continue its efforts for a non-intervention pact, there was also general agreement that France cannot continue indefinitely her present self-denying ordinance, regardless of the attitude of others. If, for example, it is established that delaying tactics, and not honest objections, are holding up an agreement, tho French Government certainly will resume liberty of action. Moreover, any substantial additions to the already - material assistance received from abroad by the insurgents , j might have the same effect. NEED FOR PRAYER. POPE ON WORLD TROUBLES. j (Received 0.30 a.m.) ROME, August 14. "There has never been more need for prayer than at present. Sads news has been arriving and there are reports of even worse things to come in different parts of the world," said the Pope, addressing the Italian Catholic Actionites. "Only God can save us from this chaos. Our ideas of human failings may help xis to arrive at something good." , SPANISH VIEWS. AFTER THE REVOLUTION. j LONDON, August 14. 1 The president of the Catalan party, , Senor Luis Companys, in an interview with a representative of the "News Chronicle" said: "The common front of anti-Fascism lias drawn Catalonia closer to the rest of Spain than ever. -I j regard it as impossible for the Fascists to win anywhere in Spain. "There is no economic class left to help Fascism. The capitalist bourgeoisie is' ruined through its own folly and it is impossible to sow dissension between . us and the proletariat." i General Dellano, one of tlie rebel f leaders, says the country will decide i whether the monarchy shall be restored, i but Parliament will be abolished and a s military dictatorship will last a long i time. ' ]