FRENCH ATTITUDE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22867, 23 October 1937, Page 11

FRENCH ATTITUDE

SUSPICIOUS OF DELAY TWO CRUCIAL POINTS ITALIAN VIEW OF SCHEME By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Oct,. 21 The Paris correspondent of the Times says that past experience lias made the French suspicious of anything that can be construed as playing for time, but if Italy gives evidence of real readiness to leave the Spaniards to decide the issue themselves, France will not be backward in making concessions. The easing of iln l crisis favourably affected the Paris Bourse. "Pertinax," in the Echo de Paris, says that neither the mode of withdrawal of volunteers nor the hour when belligerent rights will he granted can he decided without agreement between Britain and Germany. Hence two crucial problems are not yet solved. T/Oouvre considers that Signor Mussolini wants to gain time as General Franco's brother is actually in Italy arranging details for a great offensive on Madrid. Italian political circles, says a message from Home, frankly admit that there is no vital change in the situation. Thev consider the principal advantage of Count Grandi's proposal is that it postpones the deadlock in nonintervention and indirectly helps the Italian case.

Home newspapers enthusiastically praise their Government's policy, representing Italy as having forced the other Powers to return to the British -July proposals, but Signor Gavda in II Giornale d'ltalia issues a warning against optimism. ITALY'S OFFER WELCOME IN LONDON RELIEF OF TENSION British Wireless RUGBY. Oct. 21 The development which took place yesterday in the Non-intervention Committee is warmly welcomed in London and is regarded as having resolved the deadlock.

The Times says Count Grandi's speech marked a long step toward reasonable final agreement for insulating the Spanish conflict. It is now expected that there will be a small token withdrawal of foreign combatants almost immediately, which will he followed after the report of the international commission by general withdrawal, during which, at a stage to be fixed, the grant of belligerent rights will become effective. •

The Daily Telegraph says the development marks a break in the clouds. There may be room for criticism in detail, but this nqw Italian proposal seems to offer, if not all that could be desired, as much as could be achieved under anv scheme as vet submitted.

The Daily Herald discusses the possible reason underlying the complete and sudden change in the formal attitude of Italy, but declares that 110 one would b< j so foolish as to lose what chance there may be of securing the withdrawal of Italian troops. Their presence in Spain is the greatest of all menaces to the prospects of democracy in Spain and jwace in Europe. The Daily Express says that whatever causes have conspired to make the new situation, the fact is that European tension is relieved. The Daily Mail says patience has had its reward. The gesture by Italy will be welcomed throughout the world.

SPEECH CRITICISED LABOUR LEADER'S VIEW COMPLAINT OF IMPERIALISM British Wireless RUOBY. Oct. 21 Replying to Mr. Eden's speech in the Commons to-day, Mr. C. U. Attlee, Loader of the Labour Party, complained that throughout Mr. Eden had seemed to reiterate that the only things which inspired the Government's policy were the interests of British .Imperialism. The Labour Party, he declared, stood for the rule of law and the development of the Commonwealth of the Nations, but the Government was back in pre-war days narrowly viewing what Labour believed to be a fallacy. The lesson of Nyon was that when Britain, in conjunction with other Governments, was prepared to act firmly, results accrued. Sir Archibald Sinclair, " for the Liberals, said he thought the response to Mr. Roosevelt inadequate regarding the Far East. While urging the use of pressure to bring peace if persuasion failed, Sir Archibald said he thought the nation which must take the lead in such matters was the United States with her immense interests in China and her lack of preoccupations in Europe.