ITALY PESSIMISTIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 297, 15 December 1936, Page 7

ITALY PESSIMISTIC.

"COMMUNIST" ELEMENT. (Received 11.30 a.m.) ROME, December 14. The Italian Note agrees with the necessity of limiting the Spanish conflict and considers that the dispatch, not only of war materials but of volunteers and subscriptions, should be forbidden. It agrees to the proposal for mediation, but considers it is unlikely to be successful in view of the "Communist" tendencies in Spain. GERMANY REPLIES. MEDIATION IN CONFLICT. BERLIN, December 14. The German reply to Britain and France in regard to mediation in Spain agrees upon the necessity for the restoration of "peace and for preventing the flames from spreading in Europe. All measures of service in this connection would be supported. The reply recalls that Germany originally favoured the extension of the non-intervention agreements to prevent volunteers from going to Spain and regrets are expressed that other Governments did not agree to this. Now, unfortunately, it is doubtful whether a general prohibition is possible. Nevertheless Germany is ready to continue to participate in the London committee with the view to more effective control of non-intervention. EARL ROBERTS TROPHY. WELLINGTON CADETS WIN. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, December 14. C. Company, of the 3rd Battalion, Wellington, Silverstream College, won the Earl Roberts Imperial Cadet rifleI shooting trophy with a score of 301 points. Harrow was second with 288 points; Sydney Grammar, thiid, 28/; Nelson, West "Coast Regiment, fourth, 283; Melbourne Grammar, eighth, 242; North Auckland, ninth, 216. "PACIFIST" U.S.A. INCREASING HER DEFENCES. NEW YORK, December 14. Chilian newspapers are contrasting President Roosevelt's pacifist declarations at the recent Buenos Ayres PanAmerican Peace Conference with the increasing expenditures on the Army, Navy and Air Force, reports the correspondent there of the "New York Times." They point out that the United States is practical and knows that preparedness is the only way to assure peace. They warn the South American republics not to neglect their defences as the result of the peace pact.