"END THIS SHAM"

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 110, 12 May 1938, Page 11

"END THIS SHAM"

SPAIN'S APPEAL

NON-INTERVENTION

ATTACKED

COMMISSION URGED

{TJjiitccJ Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) / (Received May 12, 2 p.m.)

GENEVA, May 11

A fierce attack by Senor del Vavo (Spain) on non-intervention was the chief topic at today's meeting of the League Council. Senor del Vayo again demanded that the Spanish Government should be free to buy war material. "Let s end this sham," he said.

He declared that foreign intervention had become more intense in recent months. Italy had flagrantly violated her promise to Britain by the dispatch of reinforcements during the progress of negotiations which resulted in the Anglo-Italian agreement. The Spanish Government invited a League Commission to Spain to investigate.

Lord Halifax reiterated Britain's reasons for adherence to non-interven-tion and argued that though breaches had occurred on both sides the policy had been at least partially successful. Lprd Halifax said he believed the Anglo-Italian and Italo-French Agreements would contribute towards the ending of foreign participation, and stressed the League's qualifications for acting as an. organ of conciliation. M. Bonnet said that the French Government was convinced that non-inter-vention was the only policy which conformed with the interests of European peace and ultimate benefit to the Spanish nation. APPEAL SUPPORTED BY N.Z. Mr. W. J. Jordan announced that New' Zealand fully supported Senor del Vayo's argument. The least that could be done was to accept the invitation to send a commission of inquiry to Spain- "Senor del Vayo's plea is so amazingly moderate," he said, "that we carinot hesitate to comply with it." He urged that a effort be made 'to allow the Spanish people to decide their own destiny "by the use of different methods than we are now using." M. Litvinov said that Soviet Russia also shared Senor del Vayo's views. M. Munters (Latvia), who presided, proposed to close the discussion, but Senor del Vayo claimed the right of 1 reply, whereupon M. Munters said he Would consult his colleagues as to tu- | ture procedure. ' The Council then adjourned.