LITTLE PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 306, 26 December 1936, Page 9

LITTLE PROGRESS.

Non-intervention Committee Work Disappoints. MAJOR POWERS' INTENTION. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, December 25. Disappointment is expressed in newspapers at the terms of the non-inter-vention committee's communique, which show little progress toward the establishment of an agreed system of international supervision over the Spanish frontiers and ports. Conditions, criticisms and reservations are attached by Germany, Italy, Portugal and Russia to their replies to the request of the French and ]3ritk>h Governments that they would co-operate in the first place in ending foreign intervention, and later in mediating between parties to the Spanish conflict in order to obtain their consent to an armistice. The British and French proposals for the supervision of the imports of arms, munitions and volunteers have been placed before the rival parties in Spain, but have been met at Burgos with a series 'of questions which the Press regards as designed to waste time rather than to produce constructive replies. The Spanish Government's reply accepting the proposals in principle, but reserving the right to reject them either wholly or in part, is also regarded as unhelpful. "The Times" says the replies of the Spanish rivals do not, however, matter nearly as much as the intentions of the three major Powers, whose answer to the committee is now awaited. If they prefer to continue to back their political fancies in Spain they may do more than prolong the Spanish conflict. They may indeed extend it. As many foreigners as Spaniards are believed to have fallen in the defence of Madrid during the past month. That the vast majority of Germans, Russians and Italians now engaged in the Spanish massacre have not gone there against the wishes of their Governments admits of no doubt. First to seal up the Spanish conflict, and then to bring pressure to bear for peace, is the sole course by which any outside Power can hope to profit.