CONTROL PROPOSALS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 194, 17 July 1937, Page 9

CONTROL PROPOSALS

ACCEPTED FOR DISCUSSION. BRITISH EFFORTS PRAISED. NON-INTERVENTION IN SPAIN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.-—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received Julv 17, 11.55 a.m. RUGBY, July 16. The plenary meeting of the NonIntervention Committee unanimously -agreed that the proposals advanced by the British Government for closing the gap in the observation scheme and enabling the policy of non-intervention to be continued offered a suitable basis for discussion, and referred the plan to a sub-committee, which will meet on Tuesday.

Lord Plymouth emphasised that the essentially compromise proposals contained in the plan were intended to provide a workable solution acceptable, if not wholly satisfactory, to all parties. As unity of action at sea was no longer possible, it was essential for those Governments with naval responsibilities to seek the best means of avoiding the risks of their ships becoming involved in incidents. Lord Plymouth added that in the view of tiie British Government the precise conditions in which the limited recognition of belligerent rights would operate in practice should be discussed forthwith, and they trusted that co-operation would enable satisfactorily detailed arrangements to be made. The members of the committee paid a tribute to the work of the British Government in producing the scheme.

Tlie German and Italian representatives, after complimenting the British Government, said they were prepared to recognise the plan as a basis for discussion, agreeing that speedy action was essential.

M. Corbin, the French Ambassador, emphasised the importance attached by France to the interdependence of the withdrawal of volunteers and the granting of belligerent rights. The Soviet representative accepted the plan as a basis for discussion and reserved the right to offer amendments.

'The Portuguese Ambassador indicated that his Government was willing to reinstate the observers on its frontiers when a similar course was taken on the Pyrenees. MR EDEN’S WARNING. PERILS FROM SPAIN. (British Official Wireless.) Received July 17, 11.55 a.m. RUGBY, July 16. The Foreign Minister (Mr R. A. Eden), speaking in the House of Commons last night, said that if the British Non-Intervention Committee proposals were accepted they could provide a means of making non-interven-„tion effective, of limiting the risk of the conflict spreading and of confining the Spanish war to the Spaniards. If they tailed, and non-intervention broke down, then Europe would enter upon a new and more perilous phase. “You will have an unchecked export of arms to both sides,” continued Mr Eden. “You will have rumours impossible to check of the arrival of large numbers of volunteers. You will go back into the era of grave peril in which incidents such as have already marked and must, inevitably mark a civil war of this kind will have a much deeper significance. “We have sought to discharge our task equitably, and everyone will agree that we have done it rapidly. The British Government believes that these proposals are a contribution to European collaboration, and therefore peace.” Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers in Paris is reported to have instructed the Frencli Ambassador in London (M. Corbin) to accept the British proposals in principle.

RUSSIA AGREES

Received July 17, 9.25 a.m. LONDON, July 15. Russia has agreed to the non-inter-vention plan as a basis for discussion. The Committee has adjourned. The chairman’s sub-committee will meet on July 20. BASIS OF DISCUSSION. Received July 17, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, July 15. It is officially intimated at Berlin that the British proposals are regarded as a suitable basis for discussion.

OPINION IN ROME.

Received July 17, 8.5 a.m. ROME. July 16,

The Press regards the British plan as evidence of a change of front which is discomfiting to Fra-fce. It is understood that Count Grandi will insist that no faith be placed on the word of the Spanish Government and the technical difficulties which would have to bo met in the withdrawal of volunteers would be insuperable.

LABOUR CRITICISM

PITCHED IN A LOW KEY

LONDON, July IG,

The newspapers agree that Labour members did not like the job ol criticising the non-intervention plan. The speech of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) was pitched in the lowest key, and instructions were given to liis followers fo avoid a division, indicating that the executive ot the Labour Party was not united on the decision to raise the subject at all. The diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian points out that the British plan is not open to the charge of favouring either side. Ihe recognition of belligerency is accompanied by conditions outweighing any disadvantage the Spanish Government will suffer from it. Italy and Germany accept the plan “in principle” and thereafter will play for time hr haggling over details and by endeavouring to secure modifications. The outlook for the time being j s for theoretical non-intervention while clandestine intervention will go on as before.

WORK OK PRESS GANG

Received July 17. 9.25 a.m

AMSTERDAM, July IG. A police statement says that the activity of crimps seeking recruits in Holland for the Spanish Government lias increased since the suppression of Franco - Spanish frontier control. Twenty young Dutchmen have mysteriously disappeared from their homes.