TWO RIVAL PLANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 156, 3 July 1937, Page 9

TWO RIVAL PLANS.

TO ISOLATE WAR.

Fascists Oppose Anglo-French Naval Control. OWN SCHEME PUT FORWARD. British Official Wireless. (Received 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 2. As a result of to-day's meeting of the Spanish Non-intervention SubCommittee it was clear that while no breakdown has occurred, there is a marked difference of opinion and that a principle exists between Italians and Germans, and, to some extent, Portuguese. It was decided to circulate a statement containing a full report of to-day's proceedings to all 27 members of the full committee, that those not members of the sub-committee may report on procedure to their Governments. There seems a probability that a plenary session will be summoned for next week. On the opening of this morning's meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, the chairman, the Earl of Plymouth, reviewed the Franco-British offer to take over the whole naval control scheme and to have neutral observers oil their patrolling warships as an assurance that the work would be performed impartially. He said that a few months ago all the Powers agreed to naval supervision as an essential part of the scheme and Britain had seen no reason to change her view. The suggestion that belligerent rights should be granted to the two parties in Spain was not acceptable and the British Government's view was that non-intervention could continue to function only if there was a complete scheme. Joint Counter-Proposals. Herr von Ribbentrop (Germany), supported by Count Grandi (Italy) then put forward a counter-proposal. This stated that the German and Italian Govern-1 ments were firmly resolved to maintain the principle of non-intervention but they could not accept the Anglo-French proposal. They suggested that belligerent rights should be granted to the two sides in Spain, for then all European Powers would add to their obligations as signatories of the non-inter-vention agreement. The duties incumbent on neutral States, according to the principle of international law, were adapted to the special situation in Spain. They also suggested that obser- . vation of land frontiers, as well as . supervision in the ports and with [ observers in ships flying the flag of [non-intervention countries, should be . maintained.

In the discussion which followed, representatives of Belgium, Sweden, Czechoslovakia and Russia expressed the willingness of their Governments to accept the Anglo-French proposal. The French Ambassador to London, M. Corbin. and Lord Plymouth criticised the partial nature of the German-Italian suggestions, which they said, were clearly unacceptable. Count Grandi then recalled that, at a previous meeting when the Anglo-French proposal was first put forward, he and Herr von Ribbentrop had criticised it but had consented to refer it to their respective Governments. He asked that a similar course be adopted in regard to the German-Italian plan. I Lord Plymouth, as chairman, agreed to this suggestion, while again emphasising that he saw no likelihood of the British Government's changing its view as to its obligations. LOYALISTS SUPPORTED. POLISH TRADE UNIONISTS. (Received 10.30 a.m.) WARSAW, July 2. The Trades Union Congress unanimously passed a resolution supporting | Republican Spain, demanding lor it , freedom of imports and urging the ! League energetically to restore Spanish independence against Italian and German attempts to enforce control.