SPANISH PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22860, 15 October 1937, Page 11

SPANISH PROBLEM

NON-INTERVENTION ANGLO-FRENCH DECISION MEETING OF COMMITTEE ROME'S SUGGESTION MET By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright British Wireless RUGBY. Oct. 13 ' The views expressed yesterday by M. Corbin, French Ambassador, to the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, regarding the position over the Italian Note on the Spanish problem, were, it is inferred, among the matters discussed by the Cabinet to-day. Broad agreement exists between the two Governments that another serious attempt should be made to bring the other Powers concerned into agreement in regard to Spain. However, it is regarded as necessary that some definite time limit should be set to such an attempt. With this object the two Governments favour calling together the Nonintervention Committee, and it is hoped that a meeting may be held toward the end of the week. The broad agreement between London and Paris embraces, also, the view that if the renewed effort to obtain an agreement in the Non-intervention Committee should fail, the present state of affairs could not be expected to continue. The effort gives irrefutable proof of the patient perseverance of the two Governments in conciliation. The proposal corresponds with the procedure envisaged in the Italian Note, and it is hoped that the committee's proceedings will be free from the obstruction and delays which led to the invitation from Britain and France to Rome to discuss matters outside it. At the meeting, whenever it is held, the British and French representatives will state their position fully and clearly, and these statements are likely to demonstrate completely the solidarity of the British Government with the French in this latest endeavour to cope with the dangers of the Spanish situation.

| REACTION ABROAD. ITALY CLAIMS A TRIUMPH BERLIN OPPOSES TIME LIMIT LONDON. Oct. 13 A message from Paris says French opinion favours a discussion of the nonintervention problem, with a time limit of less than a week which, it is contended, will be sufficient to show whether Italy sincerely desires to facilitate an agreement. The British decision favouring a nonintervention meeting is welcomed in official circles in Rome, which consider it is another triumph for Italian policy-.-Berlin officials state that Germany will do everything possible to help a fresh non-intervention effort, but the proposed time limit is considered to be ridiculous in view of the difficulties and the need for a thorough examination. VALENCIA'S ATTITUDE GENERAL SCHEME FAVOURED British Wireless RUGBY, Oct. 13 The Spanish Government has addressed a Note to the British Foreign Office, in which the definite statement is made that the Government of the Republic would always be ready in principle to assure withdrawal of foreign volunteers fighting on its side 'within a general plan for the withdrawal of all foreign combatants taking part in the struggle in Spain. A message from Berlin says the German press ridicules the Note.