SPANISH WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22515, 4 September 1936, Page 11

SPANISH WAR

NEUTRALITY PLAN PROPOSED COMMITTEE BEPLIES awaited BUSSIA AND GERMANY HINT OF ALTERNATIVES jy Telegraph—Tress Association —Copyright (Received September 3, 05.55 p.m.) 7 I LONDON, Sept. 3 Bussia and Germany now are the ftnly two nafc i° ns w hich have not replied to the invitation to agree to the establishment of an advisory committee on, non-intervention in Spain. jfo apprehension is felt in London regarding Russia's attitude, says the Morning Post's political correspondent, but Germany's attitude at present is less ceit^in. The Manchester 'Guardian's political writer says the unique purpose of the proposed committee is to avert an international crisis. If tho committee is not established—and it cannot be pstablihsed without Germany—then Britain will be faced with the necessity of making new and far-reaching decisions. The time, indeed, is rapidly approaching when alternatives to nonintervention may/have to be considered. The diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian refers to the difficulties in the way of Controlling exports of arms to Spain and to the fact that Germany and Portugal persist in not replying to the pressing invitations to join the London embargo committee. Ho says that ammunition from German and Italian ports is being 3hipped to a neutral port, after which it is transhipped in a vessel belonging to another nation either to Lisbon or direct to Spain. Whitehall, nevertheless, believes that ence the London committee gets to work assistance either for the rebels or for the Government forces will be kept within narrow limits. Britain is anxious that there should be no further delay because, if Italy and Germany continue to pour in arms to the rebels, Frande will be obliged, for reasons of lelf-protection, to give similar help to the loyalists. As the civil war is increasing in ferocity, such a development would be disastrous. Everything hinges on the minimum of goodwill on the part of Germany and Italy, coupled with the co-operation of Portugal.

NON-INTERVENTION

ATTITUDE OF PORTUGAL PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE British Wireless BUGBT. Sept. 2 Tie British Government has received, fifoiigH "the British Ambassador to Lisbon, Sir C. J. Wingfield, notification from thfl Portuguese Government of the latter's acceptance of the principle of the proposal for an advisory committee in London, Composed of representatives of the Powers pledged to non-intervention in the Spanish civil war.

The Portuguese acceptance was accompanied by .a number of suggestions and requests for explanations, which Hall receive consideration in London and. Paris.

HUMANISING WARFARE ENVOYS IN CONFERENCE HENDAYE, Sept. 2 Contact has been established with envoys of the government at Madrid and of the rebels at Burgos with a view to discussing the humanisation of the civil warfare. Senor Castro, who represents the' loyalists, hopes to arrange with General Mola for a discontinuance of the execution cf hostages and prisoners.

BRITISH DESTROYER REBEL BOMBS ESCAPED GIBRALTAR, Sept. Q Rebel airmen dropped four bombs Ssar the British destroyer Worcester, also a German destroyer, off Malaga. The Worcester steamed to Gibraltar undamaged.

GOVERNMENT'S CLAIMS SUCCESSES IN BATTLES MADRID. Sept. 2 The Government claims that strong febel attacks in Guadarrama and Siguenza- were beaten off and that 1000 rebels deserted to tho Government. Skirmishing is continuing on the Asturjjan fronts as the rebels try to rescue the? besieged garrison of Oviedo. Tho Government claims to have won a signal victory at Soto, 20 miles south-east of Oviedo.

EMBASSY IN TOKIO -REBELS' FLAG FLOWN . TOKIO, Bept. 2 The rebels' flag is flying on the Spanish Legation in Tokio. The Minister announces that he has severed rotations with Madrid.

FOREIGN LEGION formation by rebels BURGOS. Sept. 2 The rebel junta at Burgos has issued ft decree inaugurating a foreign legion f°r the duration of hostilities. It has opened recruiting depots at Burgos, v*alladolid, Caceres and Seville.

ESTIMATED deaths

TOTAL OF 80,000 ' LISBON, Sept. 2 Aft unofficial estimate of the number <Jofjfibatants killed in the Spanish is: Government troops rebels, 46 ; 000.