CONFLICT IN SPAIN

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 11

CONFLICT IN SPAIN

HAVAL CONTROL SCHEME FATEFUL MEETING IN LONDON ROME NERVOUSLY AWAITING OUTCOME Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, June 29. The German Ambassador at London (Herr von Ilibbentrop) flew back from Berlin last night to attend to-day’s fateful meeting of the Non-interven-tion Committee, at which Britain and France will propose that their navies should fill the gap in the patrol of the Spanish coast caused by the withdrawal of Italy and Germany. Messages from Berlin and Borne indicate that Herr von Ilibbentrop and Signor Grandi (the Italian Ambassador) will jointly oppose the proposal, on the ground that it is tantamount to support for the Valencia Government. The Rome correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that the outcome of the Loudon meeting is nervously awaited in diplomatic circles.'

In the House of Commons the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr Anthony Eden) indicated that the problem of filling this gap had been a subject for closest consultation between the British. French, and other Governments. “It is hoped that the question will not long be left open,” Mr Eden said, “ and that the expressions of the views of the Governments will bo available to the Non-intervention Committee in London before the end oi the week.” FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS. Concerning the attitude of the various Governments towards the withdrawal of foreign nationals serving in Spain, Mr iEden said, in the House of Commons, that he was not in a position to make any statement. He added that only four Governments had so far communicated their observations on the question to the Non-intervention Committee. The British Government was willing to agree in principle to accept any plan with /any modifications which the committee might adopt. Concerning the passage of foreign military aircraft to Spain, Mr Eden said that no solution had been found, but the Government would do everything possible to secure a solution. APPARENTLY RETURNING GERMAN VESSELS PASS DOVER. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 28. The German cruisers Leipzig and Koln and four German destroyers were observed to-day passing in an easterly direction through the Straits of Dover. A. German submarine was also reported off South Devon. Apparently the vessels are returning to Germany. THE REFUGEE QUESTION ANGLO-FRENCH CONSULTATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 29. (Received June 30, fit noon.) Mr Duff-Cooper, replying to a question in the House of Commons, said it having become evident that the Spanish insurgents did not intend for the time being to blockade Santander, the advice to British ships not to enter that port had been withdrawn. Mr Eden said protection by the British Navy to refugee ships proceeding from the north coast of Spain to French ports must be governed by the French Government’s willingness to receive such refugees. The French Government within 24 hours would submit proposals dealing with the -whole question of transference of refugees. It had been made clear that there : must be some adequate system of control to ensure that refugees were limited to women and children. THE PATROL SCHEME OBJECTIONS BY ITALY AND GERMANY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 29. (Received June 30, at noon.) A scheme under which the British and /French Governments agreed to assume responsibilities for the operation of the scheme with respect of the whole coasts of Spain and further agreed in principle to the appointment of neutral observers stationed on patrol ships, was submitted to the Non-intervention subcommittee. A communique issued at the close of the meeting stated that Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, ami the Soviet representatives welcomed the Anglo-French proposals on behalf of their Governments. The German and Italian representatives strongly objected in principle to any proposal not based on the necessary equilibrium so as to ensure absolute impartiality of control. They further indicated that their Governments had decided to advise their nationals at present employed as observer officers under the observation scheme to resign their appointments. At the conclusion of the discussion all representatives undertook to refer the proposals to their Governments with the request for immediate instruction. A plan for the withdrawal from Spain of non-Spanish nationals engaged in the conflict was considered. The French representative suggested as a start that arrangements be made for the immediate withdrawal of all nonSpanish prisoners of war or wounded. Further discussion was deferred until July 2. It is thought in London that the offer to agree in principle to the ap- |

pointment of neutral observers on patrol ships should give sufficient guarantee of strict Impartiality if the Anglo-French control scheme is adopted. As to land observation, the decrees which the Portuguese Government has issued regarding the passage of nien and materials to Spain arc still in force, but Portugal desires that the gap in the control scheme caused by German and Italian withdrawal should be filled as soon as possible. The Italian representative on the Non-intervention Committee referred tj a recent communique issued by the Spanish Embassy in London “ containing allegations about the recent landing of Italian soldiers in Spain.” He added: “I wish to declare that no single Italian volunteer has left my country since the ban was agreed upon by this committee.” REFUGEE SHIPS LONDON, June 29. (Received June 30, at 1.15 p.m.) The, President of the Board of Trade, replying to a question whether the ships which had brought refugee children from Bilbao bad carried any cargo or securities as part of their cargo from Spain, replied that ho was advised that the Habana had landed no mails or cargo of any kind in this country.