SPANISH WAR

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1938, Page 5

SPANISH WAR

Loyalists’ Attack ON NON-INTERVENTION POLICY. DEBATE AT GENEVA. GENNEVA, May 13. The Spanish Loyalist delegate, Senor del Vayo. presented a resolution to the League Council, demanding the immediate abandonment of nonintervention. This is tantamount to an appeal to the Powers to release arms for Spain. Senor del Vayo created a sensation by stubbornly insisting on a decisive debate. He alleged there has been the construction of Italian and German aerodromes, with long-range gun emplacements, near the French frontier and Gibraltar. The occupation of the Balearics, the Canaries, and Spanish Morocco, he said, proved that the dictators were determined to use Spain for future aggression. “What morality or justice justifies you in continuing to deprive a legal Government of its rights under international law ?" he asked. “If the question does not receive a satisfactory answer no one will be surprised if the Spaniards consider the conduct of England and France, t-.e originators of non-intervention to be monstrous and inexplicable, capable of being construed into an attempt to deliver Spain into the hands of the dictators.” The afternoon session became a duel of Senor del Vayo and M. Litvinov against Lord Halifax and M. Bonnet.

Lord Halifax sharply unbraided Senor del Vayo. declaring that it could not be reasonably maintained that intervention was only against the Spanish Government. Britain would continue to seek withdrawals from both sides. The resolution was a direct negative to Britain’s policy. The session adjourned to the evening without a vote. Senor del Vayo, replying in the evening, said Lord Halifax’s statement showed an unbiased inquiry was more necessary than ever. The Government volunteers, he said, did not exceed 6,000, and Italians alone supporting the rebels still numbered 100,000. The manner in which the debate ended did not reflect credit on the League. Those voting for the resolution were Russian and Spain, and those voting against the resolution were England, France, Poland and Roumania. Nine nations abstained.

“There were nine abstentions; I believe in the League again,” was Senor del Vayo’s comment on the vote.

The New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan),- interviewed later, said the League should not end non-intervention, but oblige all nations to respect it.