FOREIGNERS' PART IN SPAIN'S CONFLICT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 9

FOREIGNERS' PART IN SPAIN'S CONFLICT.

HITLERS DILEMMA. Rebels Risk Defeat Unless Help Is Given. SINISTER MOTIVE SEEN. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, January 1. An Italian memorandum to the Earl of Plymouth, chairman of the International Non-intervention Committee, is not a reply to the proposals ot Britain and France regarding participation by foreigners in the Spanfsh war. Further paragraphs in the Note demand that a ban be placed on financial assistance to Spain, including not only Government credits but loans from private banks and individuals. All subscriptions to Spain should henceforth pass through the International Red Cross, and measures should also be taken to prevent the Spanish Government using gold deposited abroad to further its military aims. The "Morning Post" diplomatic correspondent says that Herr Hitler ia in a serious dilemma in respect to Spain If he sends no further support to General Franco there will be serious danger of the latter's defeat. Insurgent troops are believed to number less than 30,000. The Foreign Legion has lost many officers and the rest of General Franco's armies have taken little part in the fighting. Many are workers whose sympathies are with-the Government and who joined General Franco's forces as the safest place from reprisals. This nrobably explains the effective espionage which has caused many of General Eranco's plans to fail. The German expeditionary force numbers from 6000 to 10,000, and the Italians are considerably less. General Franco's combined forces are probably outnumbered by the Government troops supported by French and Russian volunteers. It is becoming clearer every day that the Powers are simply playing for position. For the great war which Germany believes inevitable, Germany not only seeks to threaten France's Pyreneean frontier but to establish submarine and other bases in Morocco and the Canary Islands. Such bases would threaten French colonies in Africa. also desires access to raw materials in Spain and North Africa. Germany Proposes a Bargain. The German Foreign Minister, Baron von Neurath, is understood to have informed Sir Eric Phipps, British Ambassador, that Germany is prepared to stop volunteers going to Spain if other countries agree to stop all assistance. Discussing the question of the recruit-' Ing of Communists for service in Spain the "Daily MaiF' alleges that British Communists, acting on direct orders from Moscow have begun an organised drive in the industrial centres, notably the Clyde and South Wales. They are specially attempting to secure militarily j trained men who are being' offered 20/ j daily, a separation allowance of 20/ a week for married men and 10/ a week for each child. Attempts to secure artillerymen were made in Liverpool where 50 were secured, including former members of the Irish Republican Army, while 40 to 60 were obtained in South Wales. It is understood that the Crown Law officers are considering the position in view of the possibility of action being taken, although the campaign is being conducted .cunningly to avoid a flagrant breach of the Foreign Enlistment Act. The - Independent Labour party's organ also is recruiting. It announces that a contingent will leave for Spain shortly. SUPERVISION SCHEME. SPAIN ASKED TO COMMENT. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 1. Details of a scheme for land and sea supervision in Spain have been forwarded by the Earl of Plymouth, chairman of tie International Non-interven-tion Committee, ta Mr. Anthony Eden for transmission to both sides in the civil war. ■ The respective leaders are asked to give approval or make comments within ten days. NEUTRALITY LAW. America to Take Steps to Remove Weakness. SUPPLIES FOB SPAIN. WASHINGTON, January 1. The United States Government took initial steps at a conference at White House toward framing discretionary neutrality legislation for prompt passage through Congress for application to the civil war in Spain. The State Department has officially informed foreign Governments that the issue of the license to a Jersey City company to ship aeroplanes to Bilbao was due to a flaw in the neutrality law, and not to a change of policy. The Department also has advised the Powers that alterations to the aeroplanes will require at least two months and has hinted broadly that the shipment is not likely ever to be made. It is disclosed that the heads cf the Vim-i----lert Companv, to whom the license was issued, were* linked with previous deals to the Anitorg Trading Company, but the Russian Embassy denies that either Russia or the Amtorg Company have any connection with the present deal. Also it is disclosed that the Secretary of War, Mr. H. Woodring, sold to the Vimalert Company 316 discarded engines last January, but it is emphasised that the only ' military adjunct comprised machine-gun synchronisers, which were removed.