FOREIGN HELP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 11

FOREIGN HELP

ITALY AND GERMANY DECISION TO WITHHOLD CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 15, 0.20 p.m.) LOXDOX, Jan. 14 The Rome correspondent of the Daily Mail says it is believed that Italy and Germany have decided against the despatch of further volunteers or munitions to Spain, but, if the future shows that France and Russia are continuing to send help to the Spanish Government, Italy and Germany will reconsider their decision.

It is thought in Home that General Franco's offensives should result in sweeping the Bolshevik forces from all parts of Spain except, perhaps, Catalonia.

It is understood that both General Gcoring and Count Ciano reaffirmed that it would be contrary to the interests of Italy and Germany to permit Bolshevism to take root .in Spain. General Goering gave assurances that Germany had no territorial aims anywhero in tho Mediterranean. Signor Mussolini emphasised that tho Mediterranean agreement between Italy and Britain does not interfere with Germany's colonial aspirations since the colonies on which Germany has set her eve are not near the Mediterranean.

A message from Paris states that the Prime Minister, M. Blum, is reported to have decided to make an important announcement in a spoech at Lyons on January 24 to the effect that economic negotiations are to be opened with Germany in the near future, without political conditions. It is recognised, however, that much depend? upon General Goering's talks with Signor Mussolini, -who is expected to clarify the implications of tho AngloItalian agreement.

FRENCH POLICY NO EVIDENCE OF CHANGE DEALINGS WITH GERMANY (Received January 35, 10.55 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, Jan. 15 Tho Paris correspondent of the Times states that in spite of persistent reports crediting M. Blum with the intention of offering Germany largescale economic negotiations without preliminary conditions, there is no evidence whatever of any change in the French policy toward Germany. The French Government earnestly desires a general settlement with Germany, for which it is willing to go the limit in reasonable concessions, but it is utterly opposed to piecemeal and unilateral concessions, holding that until the whole trend of Germany's policy—beginning with Spain and ending with Germany's piled-up armaments—is fundamentally changed no good, and probably much harm, would be done by stretching out a helping hand.

STOPPING ENLISTMENTS BILL BEFORE CHAMBER ACTION BY RUMANIA (Received January 15, 0.40 p.m.) PARIS. Jan. 14 The Prime Minister, M. Blum, in the Chamber of to-day introduced a bill to authorise the Government by decree to prevent tho enlistment of volunteers for Spain or their passage via France. The measure would be effective for six months from the date of the international agreement.

A message from Bucharest states that Rumania has taken steps to ban the despatch of volunteers to Spain. A telegram from Lisbon says the Portuguese Government's reply to Britain, and France regarding the prohibition of volunteers for Spain was despatched within 28 hours of the receipt of the Note,s. Portugal agrees to participate in the most stringent measures to prevent the enlistment and transmission of volunteers destined for Spain, but will await the promulgation of measures by other countries in order to draw inspiration from them.