Britain Moves in Spanish Conflict

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 5, 7 January 1937, Page 7

Britain Moves in Spanish Conflict

11 Full Awareness of Issues at Stake " Looks Ahead to Possible Eventualities Sequel to Italian Intervention United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright, deceived Wednesday, 11 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 6. British telegrams to Italy and Germany were despatched by wireless after Mr. Eden’s telephone conversation with Mr. Baldwin at Bewdley. The Times says; “Nothing is more certain than that the Government will exert all the influence at their command to secure an agreed cessation of activities in Spain, nor need there be any doubt that British vigilance rests on full awareness of the issues at stake and looks ahead to further possible eventualities." According to the Daily Herald British action followed confirmation of the report that 10,000 Italians had been sent to Southern Spain to join General Franco during the past fortnight.

Situation Very Grave VIEW IN LONDON. (British Official Wireless.) HUGBY, Jan. 5. In London a very grave view is taken officially of the continued arrival in £paia of foreign nationals enlisting on either side in the civil war. Telegrams have been sent both to Berlin and to Rome in which the request of his Majesty’s Government is conveyed to the German and Italian Governments for replies to the Anglo-French demarche by the end of the present week at the latest. The French Government has been informed of the British action. The permitting of “volunteers” to go to Spain does not contravene the existing scope of the Non-Intervention Agreement, but the importance of effecting an agreed prohibition of the departure of foreign nationals for service in the civil war has been emphasised at all recent meetings of the International Committee, and in view of this and of the British and French representations at Christmas in Berlin, Rome, Moscow, and Lisboa urging immediate measures to prevent the inflow of 4 ‘volunteers” which so far have not been answered by the German or Italian Governments, it is felt in London that the most recent landings of foreigners in Spain are untimely manifestations far from conforming with the spirit of the Non-Intervention Agreement, even if they do not violate it 3 letter. There is no official confirmation in London of reports circulating to-day regarding the landing of further Italians in Spain, and it is thought that some confusion might have arisen with the arrival of about 6000 Italians to help General Franco which occurred on December 22 last. The 4000 which were disembarked at Cadiz from the transport Lombardia on New Year’s Day therefore would bring the number ot Italians joining the insurgent forces in a period of ten days to a total of about 10,000. There is, however, an unconfirmed report in a Gibraltar news message to-day that a further detachment of Italians was disembarked at Cadiz on January 2. Supervision Plan (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 3. *he chairman's sub-committee of the .nonintervention Committee met at the Foreign Office this afternoon and was informed of the steps taken in accordance with the procedure laid down at the last meeting of the International Committee to have conveyed by the British Foreign Minister to both parties in Spain the detailed proposals in connection with the proposed plan for the supervision of the land and sea frontiers of Spain. The sub-committee gave preliminary consideration to financial aspects of the plan for supervision of the Spanish frontiers, and agreed to invite those representatives whose Governments had not yet declared their position in this matter to urge them to do so at the earliest possible moment. The subcommittee received also and took note of a statement in regard to the progress made by the Technical Advisory Subcommittees which it had appointed at its last meeting to consider technical aspects of two of the problems falling within indirect intervention, namely, the recruitment of foreign nationals for service with either of the parties in Spain, and various forms of financial aid for those parties which might be controlled by an extension of the agreement. The sub-committec was informed that the reports of the sub-committees would, it was hoped, be signed within the next day or two. Representatives on the sub-committee agreed to transmit to their respective Governments the reports of these two technical sub-committees immediately they were received, with a request that those Governments should furnish the committee with their views on the conclusions set out in those reports at the earliest possible moment. A further meeting of the chairman's sub-committee will be held immediately it receives the reports of the Technical Advisory Sub committees. Soviet Ship Released by Insurgents Received Wednesday, 9.30 p.m. MADRID, Jan. 5. Tlic insurgents have released the Soviet ship Komiles.

German Ultimatum THE PALOS INCIDENT RELEASE OF PASSENGER AND CARGO DEMANDED. BERLIN, January G. An official comunique states that the Comander in-Chlef of the German Navy in Spanish waters has wirelessed an ultimatum through the Konigsberg to the Valencian Government, demanding the release of the Spanish passenger and the cargo of the steamer Palos. If they do not comply by 8 a.m. on January Bth., he will sell the Aragon and the Marta Junquera and place the proceeds to the credit of the Nationalist Government, which Germany alone recognises. Germany reserves the right to take new measures in the event of further acts of piracy. Spain’s Reasons for Seizure of Palos Received Wednesday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 6. Tlxe Spanish Ambassador has handed the British Foreign Office a Note advancing reasons for the legality of the seizure of the Palos. The Note recapitulates the German reprisals and adheres to the refusal to agree to the “impositions” of the German admiral Von Fischil, which arc likely to cause very grave complications should the Spanish Navy and Air Foice intervene to prevent the intrusion of the German Navy. All the purpose of the policy of non-intervention and efforts to localise the conflict might thus be irreparably compromised. The Spanish Government is thereforo leaving to the British Government’s judgment the submission of its examination of the situation to the Non-Intcr-vention Committee. The position in regard to the shipping war iu Spanish waters was explained by cable on Monday as follows: The ships concerned are tho German steamer Palos, the Spanish steamers Soton and Aragon, and the British steamers Utrib and BJackhill. The war began on Christinas Eve with the seizure of the Palos by the Basque Goverument at Bilbao, after which the German cruiser Koenigsberg, as a reprisal, stopped the Spanish steamer Soton. which grounded but was refloated, and was escorted cu January 2 into Sastona Harbour by two submarines, two torpedo boats, and the entire auxiliary fleet of the Basque Government as well as aeroplanes. The crew of the Soton, contrary to earlier reports, were not taken prisoner by the Koenigsberg. The German reprisal No. 2 is the seizure by the German battleship Admiral Graf Spee of the Aragon, which left Almera on January 1 with a cargo of foodstuffs for Malaga.