PLEA FOR UNITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 196, 20 July 1937, Page 9

PLEA FOR UNITY

NON-INTERVENTION NATIONS. SPEECH BY MR EDEN. MUST GUARD FRONTIERS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received July 20, 11.55 a.m. RUGBY, July 19. Referring to to-morrow's meeting of tlie non-intervention sub-committec, the Foreign Minister (Mr R. A. Eden) in a speech in tlie House of Commons, said that if the British plan failed the alternative was none other than a complete breakdown of non-interven-tion and tlie opening of the Spanish frontiers to a competitive flow of unrestricted supplies of munitions. No one wanted the Spanish civil war to become a European war; yet if the nations now did not co-operate sincerely they would drift perilously near to it. . , “Whatever their differences, whatever tlieir preferences, 1 trust that the nations who begin tlieir work tomorrow will never forgot tlie alternative,” lie said. . 'Hie subject of non-intervention led Mr Eden to consideration of British interests in Spain, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea _ Britain had eveiy intention of defending her interests and rights, lie said, hut had 110 intention of challenging those of others. She stood by the Mediterranean agreement with Italy. . . , Britain had no intention of pursuing towards any other country a policy either of aggression or revenge. Such a possibility, said Mr Eden, would never occur to the British people.

GREAT AIR BATTLE.

100 ’PLANES ATTACK CO.

MADRID, July 18. A terrific battle in progress northwest of Madrid is believed to be the last effort on the part of the rebels to regain lost ground. It is understood that thousands have been killed on both sides. .... Meanwhile the biggest air battle 111 modern warfare is being fought overhead. The rebels, with 100 warplanes, are opposing 60 loyalist fighters. The rebels have lost 18 ’planes and the loyalists four.' Loyalist airmen claim they brought down seven Fiats, one Heinkel, and two Junkers in one action.^ Loyalist infantrymen, withstanding the worst artillery and air bombardment in the war, mowed down advancing Moroccan and foreign troops. To-day, on the anniversary of the outbreak of the war. the rebels launched 100 tanks and 20,000 men in an attack on Brunete, westward of Madrid. The casualties are estimated at 5000.

MADRID'S' DEFIANCE.

“NOT ANOTHER ABYSSINIA.”

MADRID, July 19

General Miaja, in an anniversary liessage to the Republican troops, declared: “Spain shall not be another Abyssinia. The moment will come when we will show the world that Signor Mussolini’s and Herr Hitler’s legions will be thrown out of the country.”

TRADE AGREEMENT.

GERMANY AND SPAIN

Received Julv 26. 10.5 a.m. BERLIN, Julv 19. It is officially announced that Germany has entered into a trade agreement with the Spanish nationalists, adapting the existing German-Spanish agreement to the situation, including the grant of most-favoured-nation rights. IRON FOR GERMANY."

Deceived Julv 26. 11.25 a.m. BERLIN, July 19.

Despite General Franco’s promise to respect British rights in tlie iron ore trade, bis agreement enables Germany to resume her imports of ore from Bilbao, including an additional quota compensating'for the stoppage under the Loyalist regime. Germany also receives additional supplies of copper.