FOREIGN TROOPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23123, 23 August 1938, Page 9

FOREIGN TROOPS

SPANISH CONFLICT FRANCO'S PROPOSALS NOTE TO BRITAIN SOME CONCESSIONS MADE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY, August 21 The reply of the Spanish Nationalist leader, General Franco, to the British plan for the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from Spain recalls that the Nationalists accepted in principle in November the withdrawal of an equal number of foreign volunteers on each side, and that it was proposed to start with 3000. "The new proposal having been adopted by the International Nonintervention Committee on July 5," continues the Note, "the Burgos authorities repeat their acceptance in principle of the withdrawal of foreign volunteers. "As authentic evidence of the practical worth of the declaration and the desire of the Nationalists to offer the world obvious proof of effective collaboration in the laudable efforts of the committee, the Burgos authorities are disposed, as from now, to increase to 10,000, the number of foreigners to be withdrawn immediately, subject to reasonable and fair measures of reciprocity on the part of the 'Red' faction and to proper guarantees that neither should return to Spain and on the basis of the prior grant of belligerent rights " Desire to Assist Committee The Note makes an offer, which it describes as an extraordinary concession, to respect the establishment of tAVo safety ports in the enemy zone. It also takes the opportunity to offer cooperation with the object of defending and limiting as far as may be practicable, the conception of military objectives in relation to aerial bombardments and the regulation of this difficult problem with a view to causing the least possible damage both to neutral nations and to the Spanish civilian population. The Note claims to have demonstrated by these concessions the sincere desire of the Nationalists to assist the Non-intervention Committee in the great task imposed upon it, of ensuring that the Spanish problem shall not disturb the peace of Europe, and it proceeds to make suggestions for the improvement of the committee's plan.

It is recalled that in the Note of November 18, 1937, the grant of belligerent rights was deemed to be a right. After repetition of arguments in support, the Note says that the Burgos authorities cannot, however great their willingness for conciliation, agree to grant belligerent rights in the form proposed. Full Belligerent Rights Wanted Burgos demands, "as a condition precedent, that this right, which is a consecration of an undoubted fact, should be granted in all its fullness and not subject to conditions, since there is no question of favour capable of discussion, but of a well-founded right, without previous recognition of which, free from any restriction, Burgos would lack sufficient personality to enter into an agreement such as the one- now offered it. It would also find itself subject to obligations without receiving any adequate equivalent. The Note sets out the reasons in support of the contention that the proportional withdrawal of volunteers as proposed by the committee is impracticable, and suggests the withdrawal from both sides of an equal number of foreign volunteers as the sole practicable procedure. There would thereby be attained, it is claimed, identical elimination of foreign volunteers on both sides, although it would be necessary to strengthen this withdrawal with guarantees such as do not figure in the committee's present plan. Frontiers and Control at Sea The Note expresses the view that the proposed closing of the frontiers should be permanent and without any condition which might limit it, and that vigilance on the frontiers should be strengthened in order to avoid any infringements which have occurred in the past. The Note is critical in particular of the sea control scheme, and suggests the transference of control from Spanish ports to the ports of departure of shipping. It says the best solution of this problem would be full recognition of rights of belligerency so that the two sides, as interested parties, would control on their own behalf all contraband with a zeal that nothing coidd surpass. Objections are raised to the tentative proposal for air . observation. Burgos also reserves the right to formulate other observations on detail, which it considers useless to mention until it sees a satisfactory solution of the fundamental observations it put forward in the last Note. Preventing Spread of War The Note states. "If, as cannot bo I doubted, the nations represented on the ! Non-intervention Committee aim at j obviating the danger of the conflict ' extending to other countries, National Spain will give to this end, as it is at | present doing, all facilities compatible | with its rights which cannot be waived." Finally, the Note states that National Spain "solemnly reiterates its former affirmation that it is fighting for the greatness and the independence of tin* country, and does not consent, and will never consent, to the slightest mortgage on its soil or on its economic life, and that it will defend, at all times to the last handful, its territory, protectorates and colonies if anyone dares to make an attempt against them."