FOREIGN TROOPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 October 1937, Page 5

FOREIGN TROOPS

SUGGESTIONS FOR WITHDRAWAL ITALIAN OFFER CRITICISED “MOCKERY OF UNFAIRNESS” CONFLICT IN SPAIN lßritish Official Wireless] (Received 19. th October, 9.57 a.m.) RUGBY, 18th October. A committee of experts is discussing in private to-day proposals advanced in the report recently submitted to the non-interventionist Powers on the working of the Spanish control system. At to-morrow’s resumed meeting of the chairman’s sub-committee of the Non-Intervention Committee, Mr Anthony Eden (Foreign Minister) will preside in the absence of Lord Plymouth. The considered views of the governments represented on the committee will, it is hoped, be available on the French plan for the withdrawal from Spain within as short a time as possible of the non-Spanish combatants. There is no indication in the press that it regards the outlook for the success of the French proposals with undue optimism, but “The Times” says that the discussion was “not unhelpful.” The “Daily Telegraph” says that behind all the signs of dissension there is a surprising measure of agreement on fundamentals. The only jarring note came from the Soviet. The “Daily Herald” is critical of the Italian suggestion that the numbers of withdrawals on each side shall be equal. “This,” says the "Herald,” “is inequitable and is known to Italy to be unacceptable as offering' scope for the protracted talk.” The “News-Chronicle” describes the Italian offer as a mockery of unfairness. The “Manchester Guardian” says: “Count Grandi’s reference to an equal quantity in withdrawals and to belligerent rights open out the old and' dreary vista of interminable talk lead-1 ing to a goal of action that indefinite-1 ly recedes. The interventionist Powers j have played this game profitably and j long, but surely as far as the Non- j Intervention Committee is concerned, for the last time."