STRONG BRITISH HINT TO BERLIN

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1937, Page 9

STRONG BRITISH HINT TO BERLIN

WAR IN SPAIN.

Flow of Foreign Troops Must Stop. URGENT NEED TOR ACTION. British Official Wireless. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, January 8. The German and Italian replies to the Franco-British Note regarding prohibition of, volunteers for Spain will be treated by the British Gov* eminent as a-basis for further action, which it is recognised here is urgently demanded.

At the request of Mr. Eden, Herr Woermann, of the German Embassy, called at the Foreign Office, where it is understood that he was told that Mr. Eden desired to ensure that the German Government fully appreciated how strongly Britain felt that a stop must be put to the flow to Spain of foreign volunteers. There was a noticeable stiffening of the British - view in this regard. It is firmly believed that if foreign interference and propaganda can be stopped, the war may come to an early end on more moderate terms ol settlement than would otherwise be possible.

The concern that all parties share with the Government regarding the situation arising from the dispatch of volunteers to Spain was manifested today l>y a visit by Liberal members to the Foreign Office, where they were received by Mr. Eden. Yesterday the Foreign Secretary saw leaders of the Labour party. Both deputations came to express anxiety regarding the Spanish situation.

Newspaper comment shows that the major impression left by an initial reading of the replies is that the German and Italian answers provide a basis for a further advance towards the conclusion which has been accepted in principle by all. Great emphasis is laid oil the need for speedy action.

"Le Populaire," owned by the Premier. M. Blum, is the only Paris paper taking an optimistic view of the replies. The rest of the Press here considers that Germany and Italy are merely playing for time.

The Berlin Press bitterly attacks France and Britain, resenting "attempts to place Germany in the dock." It declares that if France and Britain had followed the German suggestions the Spanish war would r\:w lie over.