NON-INTERVENTION DIE FROM DISUNITY?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 154, 1 July 1937, Page 7

NON-INTERVENTION DIE FROM DISUNITY?

m DEVELOPMENTS.

Attitude of Germany and

Italy Awaited.

MARITIME CONTROL SCHEME.

United Press Association. —Copyright.

(Received 12 noon.)

LOXDOX, June 30.

There was no development of any kind in the non-intervention situation since yesterday's meeting of the committee. It is simply a case of waiting: on Italy and Germany to show their hand on Friday in reply to the British proposals.

The general assumption is that they are resolved to let non-intervention die from disunity engendered by divergent interests. What will replace it Whitehall is iinaMe to prophesy.

Another deduction is that Italy and Germany are determined to keep the Mediterranean coast of Spain free from international control. Whether that portends some more direct intervention in favour of General Franco is at present mere conjecture.

Herr von Ribbeutrop, supj»orted by Count Grandi, on Tuesday, aroused some lioi>e in the committee of a supjrestion that there mi<rht be an entirely fresh scheme of non-intervention because the existing plan was foredoomed to failure. Pressed to outline an alternative they remained silent. Portugal and Observation. In the House of Commons, Mr. Eden, replying to Commander Fletcher (Lab.. Nuneaton) said that Portugal had decided to discontinue, for the time l»ein*r. facilities to observers on the Hispano-Portuguese frontier, but, pending a decision in repard to the naval patrol scheme, Portugal would continue to observe its engagements in respect to export of arms to Spain.

Mr. Eden said he had replied to Portugal hoping that if the Xon-Inter-vention Committee agrees to re-estab-lishment of maritime control, she would allow observers promptly to resume their duties.

Meanwhile, observers were remaining at ilieir frontier posts.

The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Mail" states that the Prime Minister., Mr. Chamberlain, hurriedly conferred with leading Ministers last night regarding the grave situation which might develop if the non-intervention agreement jroes by the board.

The matter will lie further discussed at to-day's meeting of the Cabinet.

There is little doubt, adds the "Daily Mail." that if the agreement collapsed, Britain would immediately admit a state of belligerency in Spain and thereby jirant rights to both sides. British ships would be withdrawn, thus proclaiming Britain's complete neutrality.

France would either follow Britain's example, says the "Morning Post," or continue to recognise only the Valencia Government.

Italy and Germany have been {riven until Friday either to accept the FrancoBritish proposals for continuing the naval control system, or to suggest some alternative.

SAVAGE FIGHTING.

Rebels Withdrawn from Jarama

Sector.

SANTANDER ADVANCE.

MADRID. June 30.

Savage fighting culminated in the withdrawal of the insurgents froin the Jarama sector. Shells crashed all night in Madrid, causing panie anion*; the crowds of people who were strolling in the streets 011 the hot summer evening.

The rebels in the north are reported to liave advanced some distance toward Santander. supported l»v a Iwinbardment of the coastal road by warships.

BACK FROM SPAIN.

GERMAN WARSHIPS AT tttet.

(Received 9.30 a.m.)

BERLIX, June 30.

In addition to the Leipzig, four cruisers have returned to Kiel from

Spain,

NAVAL DEMONSTRATION.

UNKNOWN SHIPS AT MINORCA.

(Received 1 p.m.)

VALENCIA, June 30.

The Government reports a demonstration by seven warships of unknown nationality last night before La Mola fortress, Minorca, which is the only Balearic Island still in Loyalist hands.