INTERVENTION IN SPAIN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22376, 13 April 1938, Page 11

INTERVENTION IN SPAIN

QUESTION IN HOUSE

OP COMMONS

ACTIONS OF GERMANY

AND ITALY

ALLEGED INTENTION TO

MISLEAD (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received April 12, 8.30 p.m.)

LONDON, April 12,

In the House of Commons Mr A. Henderson (Labour) raised the subject of non-intervention on a motion for the adjournment. He cited documentary information as proof that the Italian and German assistance to General Franco had grown to formidable dimensions.

Referring to Mr Chamberlain’s statement . earlier in the day that the position had not been materially altered as a result of Italian reinforcements, he said that this attitude showed either the gross inefficiency of the intelligence services or an intention deliberately to mislead the House of Commons.

Mr R. A. Butler, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replied that there was great difficulty in obtaining accurate information. 4 He was unable to deny that there had been German reinforcements in Spain, but regarding Italian reinforcements h' repeated that the Government was satisfied that Italy had fulfilled thi condition that reinforcements should not be substantial.

RECENT OPERATIONS . NOT AFFECTED

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER

PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS

WITH ITALY

RUGBY, April 11

Asked in the House of Commons for information about recent arrivals of Italian air pilots and war material in Spain, the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) said he did not think that there was evidence that recent operations in Spain had been materially affected by recent reinforcements. Asked whether the Government had received an assurance that the Italian Government would withdraw its troops and advisers from Spam after the fighting in that country was over, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler) said that the Spanish situation was one of the questions which was being discussed in the Italian and British negotiations. These were still proceeding, but he was not in a position at this stage to make any statement. . , , . The Prime Minister said that a statement on the progress of the Rome conversations would be made at the earliest possible moment.

NO MUNITIONS FOR

SPAIN

BRITISH POLICY NOT TO BE

ALTERED

(BBIXISH OVFXCtiX WIBBMSS.)

RUGBY, April 11

When asked in the House of Commons what reply it was proposed to send to the Note from the Spanish Government requesting the restoration of the right in international law to purchase munitions, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler) said that the British Government had replied thdt, after careful consideration of all the arguments advanced in the Note, it did not see its way to modify its declared policy of non-intervention in Spanish affairs.