NON-INTERVENTION ISSUE

Evening Star, Issue 22956, 13 May 1938, Page 9

NON-INTERVENTION ISSUE

KEEN DEBATE AT LEAGUE COUNCIL MEETING BENOR DEL VAYD'B ATTACK WANTS FREEDOM TO BUY WAR MATERIAL pr*u Association—By Telegraph—Copyright GENEVA, May 12. 'A. fierce attack by Senor del Vayo on non-intervention was the chief; topic at the League Council meeting. Senor del Vayo again demanded that the Spanish Government should be free to buy war material. “ Let us end this sham,” he declared. Foreign intervention had been intensified in recent months, and Italy flagrantly violated her promise to Britain by the despatch of reinforcements during the progress of the negotiations which resulted in the Anglo-Italian agreement. The Spanish Government invited the League commission to Spain to investigate the position. Lord Halifax reiterated Britain’s reasons for adherence to non-inter-vention, and argued that, though breaches occurred on both sides, the policy had. been at least partially successful. He believed the Anglo-Italian and Italian-French agreements would contribute to the ending of foreign participation. He stressed the League’s qualifications for acting as an organ of conciliation. M. Bonnet said the French Government was convinced that non-interven-tion was the only policy conforming with the interests of European peace, with ultimate benefit to the Spanish nation.

Mr W. J. Jordan announced that he 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 that we cannot hesitate to comply.” He urged that a new effort bo mado to allow the Spanish (people to decide their own destiny, “ by the use of different methods than we are now using.” M. Litvinoff said that the Soviet also shared Senor del Vayo’a views. Dr Hunters (Latvia), who presided, proposed to dose the discussion, but Senor del Vayo claimed the right of reply, whereupon Dr Hunters said ho would consult his colleagues on future procedure. The Council adjourned.

“ LOST DIVISION " IN ACTION ' (REBELS REPULSED THREE TIHES. BARCELONA, Hay 11. Colonel Antonio Beltrans, of the socalled “lost divisibn ” of loyalists, is still checking two rebel divisions, which have three times been repulsed. i MESSAGE FROM BURGOS LOYALIST RETREAT CUT OFF. The Burgos correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the rebel advance has been resumed, cutting off the Ityalist retreat between the provinces of Castellon and Teruel. i REBEL GENERAL RECALLED AN INDISCREET SPEECH. LONDON, May 12. The Paris correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ quotes a report from Bayonne announcing that General Yague, one of General Franco’s ablest leaders, has been relieved of his post in consequence of a speech reported in the ‘ Dairionde Burgos,’ in which he paid a tribute to the bravery of a fellowSpaniard with the loyalist forces, “ over which the nationalists have hitherto been incapable of gaining a decisive victory. It was a lie that the republicans are leaderless and cowardly. Those who were busy talking of the Republican and International Brigades took good care not to mention the Germans and Italians on our own side, who are behaving like beasts of prey.” FRANCO'S GOVERNMENT PORTUGUESE RECOGNITION. LISBON, May 12. ’(Received May 13, at 8 a.m.) Portuguese official recognition of the Franco Government as the Government of Spain has been conveyed to Salamanca.