GIVING EFFECT TO NON-INTERVENTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1937, Page 7

GIVING EFFECT TO NON-INTERVENTION.

ACTION BY POWERS.

Portugal's Submission Under Pressure.

GUARDS ON SPAIN'S COASTS

British Official Wireless. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 21. Press reports reaching London of the laws and decrees issued by Governments which are parties to the non-intervention agreement in Spain, indicate that it is likely that effect will be given generally to the recommendation of the International Committee that the enrolment, departure or transit of volunteers for the Spanish war should be prohibited as from midnight last night.

According to a Lisbon message the Portuguese (Jovernment's decree provides that Portuguese citizens now in Spanish forces must re-turn to Portugal within one month.

The Portuguese Government also published a statement in which it explains its objections to the scheme of supervision proposed by the International Committee and intimates that, having been pressed by friendly Powers to resolve the difficulties arising from these objections, it has addressed an invitation to the British Government that observers attached to the British Knibassy should verify Portugal's lulHlinent of her obligations. Last night a communique of the Earl of Plymouth's committee gave promise that following this initiative by the Portuguese Government satisfactory arrangements would be reached.

Naval Cordon Around Spain. An earlier cable message stated that according to the diplomatic correspondent of the "Morning Post" the naval cordon to be thrown around Spain will operate as follows: —

The British and Portuguese navies will patrol the Bay of Biscay, the French and Russian navies the north-west coast of Spain, the British, French, Russian and Portuguese navies the southern coast and the Italian and German navies the eastern coast.

The "Daily Telegraph" says it is proposed that the participating ships should flv a common "non-intervention" flag.

Italy, Germany and Portugal have all passed decrees banning volunteers for] Spain on pain of imprisonment. A Poi'tu- j guese communiipie states that Portugal is opposed to international supervision of the internal life of Spain. Nevertheless she had invited Britain to attach observers to her Knibassv and Consulate. She has chosen Britain in view of her attitude to the war in Spain, to the confidence she inspires in other Powers, and to the old alliance uniting her to Portugal.

Belgium, Sweden, Czechoslovakia and Greece have also prohibited volunteers for Spain.

DEBATE IN DAIL.

SPANISH CATHOLICS' PLIGHT

LONDON, February 21

The Dublin correspondent of "The Times" says J.hat in the Dail Mr. Patrick Belton, leader of the Irish Christian Front, supported an amendment refusing to read the Non-intervention in Spain Bill a second time until the Government has broken off diplomatic relations with the Caballero Government.

He said that more than 20.000,000 Roman Catholics in the British Empire were awaiting a lead from the Irish Free State. If Mr. de Valera gave that lead in Spanish policy the Free State would have the united support of the Empire's Catholics in the event of a crisis occurring within the Empire.

Mr. de Valera, in replying, explained that the Free State had a Minister accredited to Senor Caballero in order to safeguard the interests of Irish nationals. He added: "I have no use for Senor Caballero."

The bill was read a second time by 56 votes to 39.

FRESH MOORS ARRIVE.

CONSCRIPTION DECREED

(Received 2 p.m.) VALENCIA, February 21. Senor Caballero, Prime Minister, has signed a decree of conscription for all men between the ages of 23 and 27. An Algeciras message says 2500 Moorish troops landed there from Ceuta and 3000 arrived at Malaga in order to participate in the advance upon Almeria.

TO AID SPAIN.

N.Z. MEDICAL UNIT.

A very large audience listened last night to speakers in support of the plan to send a medical unit from New Zealand to the aid of the sufferers in the Spanish warfare. A sum of £050 is required and meetings will be held all over New Zealand with the object of raising the money speedily. Last night's meeting, held at the Strand Theatre, under the auspices of the Rationalist Association, was supported by the combined labour unions of Auckland, and by various peace associations of the district.

The speakers, who were introduced by Mr. H. J. Hayward, were Mesdames Cassie and R. VVynn, the latter being secretary in New Zealand for the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

| The historical events wliicli led up to the commencement of actual fighting by the rebels under General Franco, were outlined by Sirs. Wvnn, who said that medical help was at a premium, and even the existing hospitals were daily bombed from the air. Little children i were being killed and men and women maimed, and were dying by thousands.

The entire proceeds of the evening's collection, £25, were donated towards the expenses of the New Zealand medical nnit.