FRANCE CRITICAL

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 249, 17 July 1937, Page 16

FRANCE CRITICAL

Insistence on Removal of Volunteers CABINET INFLEXIBLE (Received July 17, 12.55 a.m.) London, July 16. The Paris correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says the French Government is critical of certain features of the plan which is considered to come nearer that of ‘ltaly and Germany that that of France and Britain. Hence the pressure in Berlin and Rome has not caused surprise. France will not submit to international controllers if the Portuguese frontier is protected by mere British “observers.”

The phrase “substantial progress in the withdrawal of foreign troops” as il condition of the grant of belligerent rights is considered to be too vague. France also insists that belligerent rights shall allow only General Franco and not Italy and Germany to interfere with French shipping. Cabinet is inflexible that the withdrawal of volunteers must be the cornerstone of the scheme, otherwise there is no question of France recognising a state of belligerency. The French Press is gloomy about any results except interminable discussions and negotiations. Official comment iu Berlin continues to lie reserved, but the difficulty of withdrawing volunteers is stressed. ' The Rome Press regards the'British plan as evidence of a change of front and discomfiting to France. It is understood that Count Grandi will insist that no faith can be placed on the word of the Spanish Government. Also the technical difficulties of the withdrawing of volunteers are considered to be insuperable.