“NEUTRALITY IS IMPOSSIBLE”

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21867, 21 August 1936, Page 11

“NEUTRALITY IS IMPOSSIBLE”

German Support Of Italian View DWINDLING HOPES OF AGREEMENT i i (,U'.nITED raESS ASSOCIATION' —COPYRIGHT.)

(Received August 21, 1.50 a.m.) LONDON, August 20. Hopes of non-intervention in the civil war, which yesterday seemed slightly brighter, are fast disappearing because of the Kemerun

incident. British authorities on international law do not support the German claim that a search on the high

seas is illegal. On the contrary, belligerents have long possessed the right to search everywhere, except in neutral territorial waters. Such a right extends to the parties in a civil war, as is shown by the Trent affair during the American civil war. International jurists contend that beyond doubt both sides in Spain are recognised as belligerents, de facto if not de jure. Moreover, Germany, by sending admirals on a courtesy visit to the insurgents in Morocco, recognised them as belligerents. Therefore Germany has no right to complain. The German press, however, refuses to see the incident in perspective, using it as a pretext for a bitter campaign against Spain, attributing the situation to the order of Moscow. Desultory Firing

Desultory firing continued near Irun and San Sebastian all night, but so far no attempt has been made to renew the attack.

The Catalan Government has dismissed all judges, magistrates, and court clerks, and is appointing new ones. It is also making a clean sweep of suspects from Government departments. Three more officers have been court-martialled.

General Mola has telegraphed to General Dellano that he does not need further reinforcements, as he will be able to crush Madrid within a week, but it is generally expected that the rebels will not yet advance. Even if Madrid were taken they would have the utmost difficulty in subduing Catalonia, which is prepared to proclaim an independent republic.

General Dellano continues to broadcast from Seville insinuations against Britain, He declared that last night the rebels brought down an English aeroplane from a Government squadron. The pilot, presumably English, fled to Portugal. The aeroplane is now being used to “fight the Marxist dogs.” An appalling picture of the civil war is painted by Arthur Portela, one of the best-known Portuguese journalists, who has just returned from an extensive tour of North Spain. He says the people have become collectively insane. Many apparently normal have turned into ferocious killers. The death hymn of the Foreign Legion, whose flag is a white skull and crossbones on a black background, is most popular. Portela expects that the war will account for 250,000 victims before it is ended. He considers that it is not merely a political struggle but a conflict of ancient races who have never amalgamated.

According to Rome reports Mexico is shipping arms to the Government forces, which has strengthened the Italian conviction that neutrality is impossible unless universally observed. Italy considers Germany will support this view. The chances of an agreement therefore seem more slender than ever. . A rebel aeroplane is reported to have sunk a Government submarine. General Dallano has threatened to shoot Government hostages if the Government carries out its threats to shoot rebel hostages.

WILL MOT TAKE SIDES

POLICY OF BRITAIN DEFINED DANGERS OF INTERVENTION EMPHASISED (Received August 20, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 19.

Replying to Mr George Lansbury, Sir Samuel Hoare (First Lord of the Admiralty) said in a speech at Cromer that to take sides in the’ Spanish faction fight would inevitably mean another Peninsular war, this time with the great body of Spaniards against us. It would mean a conflagration that would spread from one end of Europe to the other. “Let us make it clear that we are not going to embark on so hazardous a policy,” he said.

lln a letter to “The Times," Mr Lansbury urged a meeting of Parliament to protest in the name of the whole British people against the invasion of a friendly nation by armies of aliens, paid and. equipped from outside. He also advocated the launching cf a British movement demanding a truce in Spain to make the people's wishes known.]

SERIOUS EFFECT ON COAL TRADE IN BRITAIN

LONDON, August 19. The “Morning Post” says that the British coal trade, which had previously been affected by losses on the French and Italian markets, has already lost trade in Spain valued at £IOO,OOO through the civil war. Moreover, payments under the English and Spanish clearing system have ceased, though British coal exporters 'are owed £500,000.

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