PLAN CRITICISED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 248, 19 October 1937, Page 7

PLAN CRITICISED.

BRITISH PRESS VIEWS.

Mr. Eden to Preside at Meeting

Of Committee.

NO UNDUE OPTIMISM. British Official Wireiese. (Received 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, October 18. A committee of experts is discussing in private to-day proposals advanced in the report recently submitted to the non-interventionist Powers on the working of the Spanish control system. At to-morrow's resumed meeting of the chairman's sub-committee of the Non-intervention Committee, Mr. Eden will preside in the absence of the Karl of Plymouth. The considered views of the Governments represented on the committee will, it is hoped, be available on the French plan for the withdrawal from Spain within as short a time as possible of non-Spanish combatants. There is no inclination in the Press to regard the outlook for success of the French proposals with undue optimism, but "The Times" says the previous discussion was "not unhelpful." The "Daily Telegraph" says that behind all the. signs of dissension there is a surprising measure of agreement on fundamentals. The only jarring Note came from the Soviet. The "Daily Herald" (Labour) is critical of the Italian suggestion that the number of withdrawals oil each side shall be equal. This, says \he paper, is inequitable and is known to Italy to be unacceptable, only offering scope for protracted talk. "Mockery of Unfairnes.i." The "News Chronicle" describes the Italian offer as a mockery of unfairness, and the "Manchester Guardian" says Count Grandi's reference to equal quantity in withdrawals and to belligerent rights opens out the old and dreary vista of interminable talk leading to a goal of action that indefinitely recedes. Interventionist Powers, the paper says, have played this game profitably and long, but surely, as far as the Nonintervention Committee is concerned, for the last time. "The Times" eaye the grant of belligerent rights can only safely be made if it can be assumed that they will be exercised with a due sense of responsibility, and with respect for international law, which, as a matter of fact, has been disregarded by naval commanders of both sides. Abuse of Flags. It involves setting up trustworthy prize courts and the publication of official lists of contraband. These difficulties, however, could doubtless be overcome as part of an agreement putting an end to the flow of foreign combatants and munitions into Spain. In that case . serious consideration might also l>e given to the possibility of meeting a grievance over what Count Grandi denounced as the intolerable abuse in the Mediterranean of flags of some great Powers. A necessary preliminary, however, to any agreement ie that effective steps should be taken to end once and for all the movement of munitions and reinforcements from abroad. As noon as the required undertakings have been given and necessary control established, it would be possible to arrange for the withdrawal of troops already there and to fix a stage at which it would be practicable with proper safeguards to grant belligerent rights to two rival factions.