SPANISH WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22779, 13 July 1937, Page 10

SPANISH WAR

CONTROL DEADLOCK

BRITAIN'S GRAVE PROBLEM SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright British Wireless liUGBY, July 11 Although the tension over the Spanish situation has been relieved as the result of the decision of the Non-intervention Committee to invite the. British Government to attempt to break the deadlock which is holding up the maritime control scheme, it would bo rash to assume that matters will easily resolve themselves merely because concord has been found as to the next mode of procedure. On the contrary it is recognised that at the week-end intensive labour lies beforo tho Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, and his advisers. They are left with full discretion to make necessary soundings in whatever way they may think best, and they are already addressing themselves with the utmost urgency to their task in the hope of being able to report results to the full committee early next week. In the British view, either tho gap in tho sea observation scheme must remain open, or someone must be found to fill it. The granting of belligerent rights, which would unfairly assist ono side, cannot, in the British view, bo regarded as a substitute for the naval control scheme.

On the other hand, tho French Government's determination to withdraw facilities to observers in the Pyrenees unless tho gap is> filled within the next day or two is regarded in London as eminently reasonable.

It is generally recognised that if the British Government can stave off an international breach it will have made a major contribution to the preservation of tho peace of Europe.

PRESS COMMENT

| PROVOCATIVE LANGUAGE ITALO-GERMAN DELEGATES British "Wireless RUGBY, July 11 The newspapers' comment on tlio non-intervention deadlock is generally restrained, but the comments made by Herr von Ribbentrop (Germany) and Count Grandi (Italy) have aroused some resentment. The Morning Post, referring to attempts which have been made in various quarters to blacken British policy and to repi-esent it as clandestinely partial, says that when it really comes to the point "we will find that nobody believes these charges." The Daily Telegraph says: "Though the chance of discovering any generally acceptable plan seems poor enough, the British Government will not be deterred from search by the unnecessarily provocative language of Herr von Ribbentrop and Count Grandi." The Manchester Guardian says it regards the British Government's task as an unenviable one. However, since both Germany and Italy supported the proposal to invite Britain to find a way out it seems that they may be prepared to consider a compromise.

FOREIGN OFFICE POSSIBLE SUGGESTION OBSERVERS AT PORTS LONDON, July 11 The British Foreign Office has begun to search for a solution of tho. nonintervention deadlock. The placing of neutral observers at Spanish ports is believed to be the most likely outcome, but this would require the consent of the Spaniards, which hitherto they have refused. A message from Berlin says it is expected that Herr Hitler will determine the German attitude in his week-end discussion with Ministers.

SPANISH BANKS CLAIM TO VALUABLES DUTCH COURT'S VERDICT . AMSTERDAM. July 11 The Court at Amsterdam to-day admitted a claim by Spanish banks, and ordered the master of the British steamer Thorpe Hall, which took £10,000,000 worth of gold and securities, representing the entire assets of three provinces, from Bilbao before the rebels captured the city, to surrender the valuables. The loyalist Government of Spain appealed from this decision and tho dispute will now go to the international tribunal at The Hague.

ITALIAN SARCASM TILT AT OTHER STATES (Received July 12, 6.5 p.m.) ROME. July 11 The official Stefani news agency tilts at what it calls the miscarriage of the idea of 20 States lining up against the v 'Germano-ltalian front. MADRID'S DEFENDERS REBELS AGAIN DEFEATED MADRID. July 11 The loyalist defenders of the capital maintain a widespread offensive. They routed the rebels in a new battle today and captured a village and 600 prisoners.