GRAVE ANXIETY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 274, 15 August 1936, Page 11

GRAVE ANXIETY

Italian and German Attitude on Spain FEARS IN LONDON Neither Replies to French Appeal for Pact POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received August 14, 10 p.m.) London, August 1-1. Neither Italy nor Germany lias jet replied to the French appeal for nonintervention in Spain, and tlie delay is causing grave anxiety in London, says tlie “.Morning Post’s’’ diplomatic correspondent. It is seriously feared that if negotiations fail M. Blum, Premier of France, will be unable to resist pressure from his own supporters and will be forced either to sanction aid for the Spanish Government or resign in favour of a more extreme Ministry. The last hope of a non-intervention policy would then vanish and Spain would openly become the battlefield of rival European policies. The British Government is doing its utmost to avoid such a development. The Berlin correspondent of “Tlie Times” says: “It seems clear that tlie German attitude regarding non-inter-vention has stiffened, partly owing to reports of French assistance to tlie Madrid Government and also because there is apparently little confidence in the sincerity of the French proposals. Tlie Paris correspondent of “The Tinies” says that though the French Cabinet yesterday decided to continue its efforts for a non-intervention pact there was also general agreement that France cannot continue indefinitely to present a self-denying ordinance regardless of the attitude of others. If, for example, it is established that delaying tactics and not honest objections are holding up an agreement, the Government will certainly resume liberty of action. Moreover, any substantial additions to the already material assistance received from abroad by the insurgents might have the same effect.

Tlie Popular Front parties haxe agreed to call a conference to consider united international action by Labour in support of the Spanish Government.

Tlie "Manchester Guardian’s" diplomatic correspondent says tiiat tlie impression is deepening in London that both Italy and Germany are holding up non-intervention while aiding the rebels in tlie hope Biat they will lie able to win decisive victories in the near future.

Both sides are making renewed efforts for foreign support. President Azana told a French journalist: "France’s frontier is now the Guadarrama Range. If Fascism wins it will hold the Pyrenees. France must also ask herself who is to hold Morocco, the Balearic Islands and Mediterranean and African communications.” Two hundred Liberals from most European countries, including Viscount Churchill and Sir Norman Angell, met at Paris and passed a motion that any neutrality in the face of the present situation was suicidal and tantamount to strengthening Fascism. At Seville General de Llano, a rebel leader, in a statement said that the country would decide whether the monarchy would lie restored, but Parliament would be abolished and a military dictatorship would last a long time. The French authorities impounded a British de Havillaud aeroplane destined for the rebels. EMBASSY IMPASSE Ambassador and Rebel Sympathisers London, August 13. Tlie Rome correspondent of “The Times” states that a quarrel on similar lines to that of August 11 has broken out in the Spanish Embassy to the Holy Seo. situated in tlie i’iazza di Spagua. ' , Tlie Ambassador, Senor Zulueta, formerly Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, proving a tougher nut than Senor Aguinaga, determined neither to resign nor to quit his residence, and is holding out in one portion of las Embassy, while bis counsellor and first secretary, both of whom are not in favour of the Madrid Government and have resigned their posts, hold out in another part of tlie same building. In tlie meantime tlie police are guarding the Embassy, and will allow no one to enter, while telephone calls are not answered.

A cable from Rome dated August 11 stated that when Senor de Cercer, successor of Senor Justo Oeerin, who resigned on July 30. was appointed Spanish Ambassador a fortnight ago the military and naval attaches, who sympathised with the rebels, entered his room, placed a revolver on the table, and declared that he must not present his credentials. Senor de Cercer prudently went to Paris, whereupon the Spanish Government replaced him with Senor Aguinaga from Berne. Senor Aguinaga, after several ineffectual attempts to enter the Embassy in Barber'ni Palace, broke in by a side door accompanied by two loyal commercial attaches, but the trio were seized, and confined to n room. Senor Aguinaga was informed that he would not be released until ho signed a resignation. Senor Aguinaga signed and de parted angrily for Paris, after which Senor Rnfnel Forns. a supporter of the rebels, displayed his own credentials as Ambassador representing the Burgos Government, allegedly signed by Senor Aguinaga. Senor Forns then secured the resignations of the remaining loyalists on the «tnff. labelled hi« office door “Charge d’Affaires, Burgos Government," and declared himself ready for business FOREIGNERS AT GRANADA Evacuation by Aeroplane (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, August 13. A report Ims been received from the British Consul at Seville regarding foreign nationals at Granada, which is in the bands of the insurgents and invested by Government troops... An agreement has been secured with both sides in the civil war as a result of which arrangements have been made for the evacuation of 200 foreigners by aeroplane The first aeroplane was to leave Seville to-day. and was due buck there to-night Among tlie 200 there are known to be 11 British subjects who wish to be evacuated It is not known if there are any other British who have decided to rcmal’’