SPAIN AND CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23034, 11 May 1938, Page 15

SPAIN AND CHINA

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE ACTIVITIES OF RUSSIANS ALLEGED CONTROL BY CHEKA STATEMENTS NOT CONFIRMED \ ______ By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY, Maj 9 Spain and China figured largely in the House of Commons to-day at question time, when information was furnished by the Ministers responsible. The Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, was asked if he was aware that branches of the Russian Cheka had for a considerable time been in effective control, not only in the Barcelona and Valencia Governments, courts and prisons, but among the international and Republican troops on the Government side in Spain. In reply, Mr. Butler said that the information in his possession did not confirm the statements in question. The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, was asked if he was aware of the recent declaration of policy by Dr. Negrin, Spanish Prime Minister, and if the Government would seek to secure peace in Spain on the basis of those terms.

Replying, Mr. Chamberlain said he had seen the declaration, and, in regard to the second part of the question, the Government was prepared at any time at the request of either of the contending parties to lend its offices with a view to securing an agreement for a settlement of the conflict. It waa not in accordance with the Government's policy to impose a settlement on either side..

Questions were also answered regarding claims for compensation from the Spanish rebel authorities and from the Japanese Government. The Far Eastern situation was raised by a member who inquired what steps had been taken by the Government to prevent a repetition of the recent incidents in Shanghai between Japanese troops and members of the British armed forces.

Mr. Butler replied that incidents were always liaMe to occur in circumstances such as those existing in Shanghai, but the Government was doing all in its power, by negotiation and remonstrance, to avoid a recurrence of such incidents.