SPANISH WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1937, Page 5

SPANISH WAR

NAVAL CONTROL NEW AGREEMENT SOUGHT. (United Press Association —By Electri. Telegraph —Copyright). LONDON, June 9. The French Government’s reply to British proposals regarding guarantees on a basis upon which German and Italian ships might resume the patrol ■ hvorkf under the Non-Intervention scheme, lias now been received in London. (It is felt that there is now n substantial agreement, in principle, between all the Powers concerned. France says she is willing to admit neutral observers aboard French warships. France suggests that Spain should be urged to regard each foreign warship as representing the whole of Europe. The Spanish Ambassador (Senor Pablo de Azcarate) called at the Foreign Office and said the Spanish Government would welcome the internationalisation of the naval control fleets by the attachment of neutral observers. .Efforts to reach an agreement on the security, of the control fleets off the Spanish coast have now reached the stage of enabling the British Gov'eminent to propose direct diplomatic consultation to be held in London between representatives of the British. French. Italian and German Governa ■ monts. ■ ’ REPLIES IN THE COMMONS LONDON, June 9. Questioned in the House of Commons on negotiations that followed the bombing of the German battleship, Deutschland,” by Spanish Government planes, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, said that there wore exchanges of views between the British. French, and. Italian Governments.' They were concerned with guarantees, which might be ,pbtaincd from the two parties to the Spanish conflict, to enable the work of the naval patrol, which bad been delegated by these fmir Governments to be restored to full operation, thus permitting the Non-Tiitorven-itnn Committee +h resume its work. He was asked in a smrnlementarv (question, to give a definite pledge that,, in no circumstances, would the British Government consent to any retaliatory actions. Mr Eden replied“We have never nibscribcd to the right of retaliation.” SOVIET OBJECTION LONDON. June 9. The Soviet has sent a Note to the Non-Intervention Committee m’otT'stavninst the four Powers, Britain. Jt.aly, France and Germany, engaging jo negotiations on ‘the matter oi Spanish control. The Soviet enntenn that discussions for the guaranteeing of the patrol ships against attack should be undertaken only after a full discussion by the Non-Interven-tion Committee, and with the fuM knowledge of all Powers represented on that Committee.

The Note also alleges that, when the Dorman warship Deutschland was •bombed, she was not carrying out her patrol duties. The Note suggests she was stationed in Spanish watcs for “altogether different purposes.” MINING m DESTROYER

LONDON. June 9. Si r H. Chilton, British Ambassador, at Hendaye, has b'e'en instructecr to send a protest to the Salamanca authorities, regarding the accident to the British destroyer, “Hunter,” which s*ruck a mine off Almeria. on Mav IS. Full reports of the circumstance indicate that mines have been laid on the high seas by Spanish insurgent naval authorities, off Almeria, and elsewhere in that neighbourhood. The British Government reserve the right to present a claim for loss or damage resulting from t|io accident to the “Hunter.” A PROPOSED CONTROL LONDON. June 9. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent states: The British Government favours the substitution of armed trawlers for some of the warships now carrying out the international patrol. It LjtJolt that trawlers would be more effective for this dntv. and also more economical, and that the risk of incidents would be reduced. N.Z. AIRMAN’S PAY SVDNFY; .Time 10. Captain Eric Griffiths, who after 'iiir service with . the Spanish Government forces, is travelling home to New ./calami, left to-day for Auckland by the Monowai. H<* told a “Sun” interviewer lie brought. down seven rebel nlancs, but that, owing to a difficulty in establishing the fate of the enemy fliers, be was credited with onlv four, for which lie was paid two hundred pounds for each machine, or U3BOO.