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Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1936, Page 4

The extreme delicacy of the situation in Spain and the temptation of foreign nations to intervene in her domestic affairs seems to he iust one more complication in an unprecedentedly disturbed world. Yet the problem is not new, as can be noted by examining the. principles of non-interven-tion laid down by Lord Castlereagh and adopted by Canning during another Spanish domestic crisis. In his famous State paper of May 5, 1820, Lord Castlereagh wrote: —“The present state of Spain, no doubt, seriously extends the range of political agitation in Europe, but it must nevertneless be admitted that there is no portion of Europe of equal magnitude in which such a revolution could have happened less likely to menace othei States with that direct and immediate danger which has always been regarded, at least in this country as alone constituting the case which would justify external interference. If the semblance of such an intervention is more likely to irritate than to overawe, is it not prudent at least to pause before we assume an attitude which would seem to pledge us in tne eyes of Europe to some decisive proceeding? Unless we are prepared to support our interference by force, our judgment or advice is likely to h e but rarely listened to, and would by frequent repetition soon fall into contempt/’ The concluding sentences, notes a correspondent of the Times, form also a pertinent comment cn British policy with regard to the ItaloAbyssinian war.