FOREIGN TROOPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22851, 5 October 1937, Page 9

FOREIGN TROOPS

WITHDRAWAL QUESTION APPEAL TO ITALIANS MOTION LOST AT GENEVA By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 4, 0.25 p.m.) GENEVA, Oct. 3 The Assembly of the League of Kations did. not carry the resolution authorising Britain and France to negotiate with Italy for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Spain because of the. opposition of Albania, Austria, Hungary and Portugal. Thirty-two States approved rthe Political Committee's resolution but the necessary unanimity was lacking. FASCIST COUNCIL MEETING ON THURSDAY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SPAIN (Received October 5, 12.5 a.m.) ROME, Oct. 4

Signor Mussolini has summoned the Fascist Grand Council to meet on Thursday. The agenda includes "international affairs with special reference to Spain." According to the .Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph' the Italian reply to the British and French Notes is expected to insist on the prior grant of belligerent rights to General Franco, and the extension of nonintervention to all activities of foreign Powers and citizens.

Britain and France, it is believed, will also be asked how they propose to secure the withdrawal of volunteers on the Government side, many of whom allegedly have been given Spanish nationality. MUTUAL GOOD WISHES MUSSOLINI AND FRANCO EXCHANGE OF TELEGRAMS (Received October 5, 12.0 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 4 A message from Salamanca states that Signor Mussolini has telegraphed congratulating General Franco on the first anniversary of his appointment to the supreme command of the insurgent forces, and expressing wishes for the triumph of the Spanish insurgent cause. General Franco, in reply, has congratulated Signor Mussolini on the "immense triumph of his Berlin visit." REBELS' ATTITUDE CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT NEW DECISION BY SOVIET LONDON, Oct, a A message from Gibraltar states that General Dellnno, in a broadcast speech said the insurgents would agree to the withdrawal of foreign troops from Spain if assured that this was carried out impartially and would include members of the International Brigade. In spite of a rebuff, British and French quarters indicate their intention to continue the negotiations with Italy, and to point out that their stipulation still stands that the non-inter-vention plan may be ended if results are not speedy.

Russia has circulated a Note to the Non-Intervention Committee intimating that owing to the collapse of the naval patrol scheme, .Russia will not allow international observers to embark on her merchantmen sailing for Spain, also implying a reconsideration of her attitude in regard to non-intervention.