Italian Refusal To Discuss Withdrawal Of Volunteers

Northern Advocate, 25 March 1937, Page 7

Italian Refusal To Discuss Withdrawal Of Volunteers

Non-Intervention Committee Faces Its Biggest Crisis

T (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON. March 23. mHE diplomatic correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” states that Count Grandi’s refusal to discuss the withdrawal of volunteers from Spain has precipitated what is regarded as the biggest crisis the Non-Intervention Committee has yet facedM. Maisky, the Soviet’s representative, warned Count Grandi that the Italian Government must adopt a different attitude if it did not wish to imperil the whole peace of Europe. According to “The Times,” Count Grandi’s statement , was that Italy would not withdraw any of her volunteers from Spain until the war had been decided by the defeat of the Span ish “Reds.”

His Personal View? , » The “Daily Telegraph” states that Count Grandi-was expressing his personal view when he said the Italians would not be withdrawn from Spain until the end of the war. British circles are hopeful that his obstructive attitude may be modified. Mr Eden Has Nothing to Add. In the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, was asked (says a British Official Wireless message) if he had any statement to make regarding instruction of the Italian Government to their representatives on the Non-Intervention Committee, hot to discuss the question of evacuation from Spain of non-Spanish nationals participating in the hostilities there. Mr Eden replied: “I am not at present in a position to add anything to the terms of the communication issued after the close of yesterday’s sitting by the chairman of the sub-committee of the Non- • Intervention Committee. The situation is under consideration by the British Government. “Meantime, ,the remaining difficulties in connection with the commencement of the operation of the observation scheme have, I understand, now been dissolved.” tVii