PLEA FOR ARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23036, 13 May 1938, Page 9

PLEA FOR ARMS

SPANISH BEPEBLICANS DELEGATE AT GENEVA NON-INTERVENTION A SHAM MR. JORDAN GIVES SUPPORT By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright GENEVA, May 11 A fierce attack on non-interven-tion made by Senor del Vayo, the Spanish Republican Government's delegate, was the chief topic at today's meeting of the Council of the League of Nations. He again demanded that his Government should be free to buy war material. "Let us end this sham," snid the speaker. Foreign intervention had been intensified in recent months and Italy had flagrantly violated her promise to Britain by the despatch of reinforcements during the progress of the negotiations which had resulted in the Italo-British agreement. The Spanish Government invited a Commission of the League to visit Spain to investigate. Viscount Halifax reiterated Britain's reasons for adherence to non-interven-tion and argued that although breaches had occurred on both sides, the policy had been at least partially successful. He believed agreements between Britain and Italy, and Italy and France would contribute toward ending foreign participation and stressed the League s qualifications for acting as an organ for conciliation. French View M. Bonnet (France) said the French Government was convinced that non» intervention was the only policy conforming to the interests of European peace and to the ultimate benefit of the Spanish nation. Mr. W. J. Jordan announced that he fully supported Senor del Vayo's argument. The least that could be done was to accept the invitation to send a commission of inquiry to Spain.

"Senor del Vayo's plea is so amazingly moderate that we cannot hesitate to comply," said Mr. Jordan. He urged that a new effort be made to allow the Spanish people to decide their own destiny "by the use of different methods than those we are now using." M. Litvinoff said the Soviet also shared Senor del Vayo's views. President Embarrassed

M. Munters (Latvia), who presided, proposed to close the discussion, but Senor del Vayo claimed the right to reply, whereupon 51. Munters said he ■would consult his colleagues as to future procedure. The Council then adjourned.

The Chilean delegate previously had informed the Council that Chile might be obliged to leave the League unless Article XVI., the sanctions clause, was dropped. Senor Cherif, Spanish Consul-Gen-eral at Geneva, and brother-in-law of Senor Azana, the President of Spain, has been recalled to Barcelona. It is said that this is because he encouraged suggestions for mediation in the Spanish war.

AMERICAN EMBARGO POSSIBLE REMOVAL QUESTIONS IN COMMONS INTENTIONS NOT KNOWN (Received May 12, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, May 11 Questioned on reports on the possible removal of the embargo on arms for the Spanish Government by the United States, the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, told the House of Commons that the United States Government had not announced its intentions and it was impossible to say whether the joint resolution of Congress prohibiting the export of arms to Spain would be repealed, amended or left unchanged. In a supplementary question Mr. Chamberlain was asked if there was any foundation for, the statement that the British Government was trying to discourage the United States from taking any action. He replied: "None whatever."

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times stated on May 5 that the Administration had decided to support the resolution of Senator G. P. Nye in favour of the lifting of the arms embargo against the parties in the civil war in Spain. There was, he stated, a likelihood of the passage of the resolution before the adjournment of Congress.

NON-INTERVENTION BEST BRITISH PERSEVERANCE (Received May 12, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, May 11 Speaking at the League Council meeting after Senor Del Vayo, the Spanish representative, the British Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, said the British Government remained convinced that non-intervention was not only the best but indeed the only practical policy and it intended to persevere with it. VALENCIA AIR RAID BOMBED BRITISH SHIP LONDON, May 11 The Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, replying to a question in the Houso of Commons to-day, said the Government was forced to the conclusion that the bombing of the British steamer Stanhope at Valencia last Saturday was deliberate. Mr. Butler said he had strongly protested to the rebel authorities at Burgos, requesting that precautions bo taken to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.