THE ITALIAN OFFER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23326, 19 October 1937, Page 9

THE ITALIAN OFFER

REGARDED AS SIGNIFICANT WITHDRAWAL OF VOLUNTEERS EQUAL NUMBERS SUGGESTED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 18. (Received Oct. 18, at 11 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph says significance attaches to Signor Grandi’s suggestion for the withdrawal of equal numbers as the most reliable estimates show that the proportion of foreigners fighting is 4 to 1 in favour of General Franco, whose troops include approximately 80,000 Italians, including three regular divisions, some 10,000 German technicians and Moors, while the Republican International Brigade probably includes only 5000 who have had previous military training. The newspapers in Rome declare that the Italian proposals will be maintained to the utmost. HOPE INCREASED BY OFFER PARIS, Oct. 17. Opinion is still doubtful regarding the results of the French proposals, but hope has increased after Signor Grandi’s offer. It is understood that France is desirous of clarification of Mr Eden’s speech regarding the exact measure of Britain’s approval in the event of the French resuming freedom of action, as active support is desired. MR LLOYD GEORGE’S VIEWS LONDON, Oct. 17. Mr Lloyd George, in a speech at Caernarvon, said; “As one of the senior Privy Councillors, whose duty to their Sovereign and country is to give such advice as experience indicates, I urge Mr Eden fearlessly to take the course which his conscience dictates, whatever his colleagues may say. When he tires of being bullied and stands up for what he really believes he will be the biggest man in Britain.” Mr Lloyd George added that nonintervention was a cruel and lying sham. Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler had sent 100,000 men to Spain. The Italians every week were sending troops ostensibly to Libya, but many were going to Spain.