CONTROL SCHEME FOR SPAIN

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22136, 5 July 1937, Page 9

CONTROL SCHEME FOR SPAIN

Italian-German Plan Not Acceptable

FURTHER EFFORTS IN LONDON

ATTEMPT TO DEVISE NEW PROPOSALS

IWUTEB IT.BSS AdJOCIATtON-tOl-vniOUT.) (Received July 4, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. Following the receipt of the proposals of Italy and Germany for the maintenance of non-intervention m Spain it appears that, neither Britain nor France "inds the proposals acceptable. The diplomatic correspondent oi the "Daily Telegraph" says attempts are being made in London to work out a new system of control which will be acceptable to all parties to the non-intervention agreement. *A message from Paris says that after the non-intervention deadlock the Foreign Minister (M. Yvon Delbos) instructed French Ambassadors to approach the governments of 25 States of the full committee, except Germany and Italy. Replies received already from 20 all support the British and French proposals.

The Italian-German Proposals ' The Italian Embassy in London yesterday issued a joint statement on behalf of Italy and Germany to the effect that the Italian and Ger- • man Governments, after close consultation, firmly resolved to maintain the principle of non-interven-tion in Spain. The proposals by Britain and France, however, for joint naval control, could not be considered, as they would disturb 'impartial control in favour of one of the combatants. Italy and Germany suggested that all interested Powers should grant belligerent rights, which would strengthen non-intervention and have the following advantages:— '' (1) The two Spanish parties will have to assume towards neutral States full responsibility for the conduct of the warfare in the air, on land, and at sea. s - (2) The patrol system, which failed utterly, would be unnecessary. C) Serious loopholes in non-in- " tervention would be eliminated, inasmuch as ships flying either the Spanish flag or the flag of nonEuropean countries would be submitted to an effective form of control by both combatants. The statement adds that observai tion at land frontiers in Spain should be maintained, and also Supervision at ports, with observers embarked on ships flying the flag of non-intervention countries.

Plan Not Acceptable

It is indicated at Whitehall that this ingenious plan to use the nonintervention scheme to give the Government of Spain a coup de grace and to make Britain and Prance parties to such an action 's not acceptable in London or Paris. The recognition of belligerency would enable the rebel fleet, with clandestine Italian and German support, to blockade the loyalist coast, while France and Britain, through observation on the land frontiers, would cut off supplies of War material from the Government.

It is becoming evident that behind the Italian and German manoeuvres is the intention to gain a footing in the western Mediterranean while they promote a state of uncertainty in Europe. Neither Britain nor France can •How their interests to be thus seriously menaced.

The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says France will not accept the Italian and German proposals. The official French attitude is one of determination to stand fast on the position which has been taken in complete agreement with the British Government. The newspaper "Information" says: "If the Italian and German Governments realise that they do n ot represent the only strong and resolute States in Europe, the limits of decency will probably not be over-stepped." The Berlin correspondent of the "puly Mail" says the entire German press is engaged in proving that Britain and France will alone oa responsible if non-intervention itaally breaks down.

f CORPORATIVE SYSTEM FOR SPAIN

FRANCO'S PLANS BASED ON ITALIAN MODEL

ROME, July 2. A newspaper correspondent at Salamanca announces the conclusion °f a complete corporative system *° r franco's territory on an Italian '"oael, as an indication of the close<iA¥ °f future relations between •«aiy and Spain on a Fascist basis. \

ITALIAN AEROPLANES DESTROYED

MYSTERIOUS LOSS REPORTED AT SEVILLE

VALENCIA, July 2. A loyalist squadron bombarded Seville aerodrome, destroying many **roplanes. Six Fiat aeroplanes from Italy were burnt at Seville in mysterious wcuinstances, and tne mechanics in gwge were executed. The chief of • SSn 8 " squadron, after a police in\,'««Jgation, committed suicide.

HEROISM OF NAVAL OFFICER

KING AWARDS MEDAL FOR RESCUE WORK

LONDON, July 2. The King has awarded the Albert Medal to Lieutenant-Commander B. G. Scurfield, of the destroyer Hunter.

On May 25, after the Hunter had been mined, the vessel developed a heavy list. There were no lights and no steam, and Lieutenant-Com-mander Scurfield jumped into the oil-flooded battery on the damaged deck, not knowing if it was intact, and pulled out bodies from the wreckage. He also saved five stokers from the smashed bulkhead.

REPORTED BOMBING OF BRITISH SHIPS

NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY ADMIRALTY

(Received July 4, 10 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. Following reports that three insurgent aeroplanes dropped seven bombs, aimed at British control warships, which drove off the machines by gunfire, the Admiralty issued a statement as follows: "Two aeroplanes dropped two bombs a mile distant from British destroyers. The incident is regarded as a mistake, and no action is being taken. 7 '