NON-INTERVENTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 11

NON-INTERVENTION

THE VOLUNTEER PROBLEM A STEP NEARER SOLUTION SUB-COMMITTEE'S EFFORTS RUSSIA RAISES AN OBSTACLE (British Official Wirelessl (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Oct. 26. (Received Oct. 27, at 5.5 p.m.) Substantial progress toward agreed action to make non-interven-tion effective resulted from a fivehour session of the International Sub-committee to-day. Mr Anthony Eden presided. Consideration was resumed of the draft resolution in, the light of the comments of the Governments to which the text was submitted. At the end of the discussion all the members were agreed on the terms of the resolution with the exception of the Russian member, who was unable to concar in the paragraphs dealing with the granting of belligerent rights. In these circumstances the sub-com-mittee is again submitting an amended text, on which an all but unanimous agreement has been reached, to the Governments, whose final observations will, it is hoped, be received before the meeting on Friday. The sub-committee instructed tne chairman and the secretary in the meantime to make a start on drafting the terms of reference for the two commissions to be despatched to Spain, to establish the numbers of non-Spanish nationals participating on either side in the civil war, and to prepare a list of the personnel for submission to the committee. <

It is understood that the subcommittee has dropped the proposal for the token withdrawal of volunteers.

The- chairman suggested in the course of the discussion that the committee was now clearly at grips with the main proposal for full-scale withdrawal. It would be a pity to be diverted by a minor question on details of which agreement was not assured,, and the members, after some discussion, concurred. Other principal developments today were the clarification of the Italian attitude to the Status Commission's reports on the numbers of volunteers and some modification of a tentative character by the Russian representative of his attitude to the question in relation in the time of granting belligerent rights and the withdrawal of volunteers. Signor Grandi said that if the commission were constituted in such a way and the terms of reference were such as ensured confidence, then the figures on the basis of which the proportions of withdrawal from either side would be determined could be accepted, and it can now therefore be stated that the subcommittee is unanimously agreed that the figures established by the commissions shall be accepted as final and binding. M. Maisky was questioned closely by Mr Eden on his reiteration of the Russian refusal to grant belligerent rights at any point in advance of the completion of the withdrawal of volunteers, and in the course of exchanges he did, it is understood, express the view that when the bulk of volunteers had been withdrawn and it had been seen that there were no new arrivals and the intention of all Governments not to send reinforcements was beyond doubt, then the Russian Government might perhaps consent to grant belligerent rights. It will be recalled that the British plan, on which the committee is now working, provided for the granting of these rights when substantial, progress had been made with the withdrawal. BELLIGERENT RIGHTS RUSSIA'S ATTITUDE UNCHANGED LONDON, Oct. 26. M. Maisky began his speech by reaffirming agreement to belligerent rights only after complete withdrawal of foreign volunteers, but later said that if the Soviet was convinced that the bulk of foreigners had been withdrawn and reinforcements had ceased to arrive, and there was a sincere desire on the part of the respective Governments to stop all interference in Spanish affairs, the Soviet might consider the question of granting belligerent rights, but it reserved the right to judge the moment for such consideration. He protested against the suggestions made in Italy and elsewhere that the Soviet was attempting to sabotage non-intervention. " If we have to find a culprit in the present impasse and possible breakdown of non-intervention, it is not the Soviet, but Italy and Germany," he said. MOVE TO OUST RUSSIA LONDON, Oct. 26. The News Chronicle's diplomatic correspondent says: "A move is afoot to oust Russia from the Non-inter-vention Committee if she persists in refusing to recognise belligerency until all foreigners have been withdrawn. Another sub-committee might be formed from which the Soviet would be excluded. Russia, for her part, has sucli a poor opinion "of non-intervention that she would not be sorry to withdraw from the committee and regain freedom of action." ITALY EXPECTS A DEADLOCK ROME, Oct. 26. Italy expects a complete deadlock as regards non-intervention. . She will not agree to any plan to which Russia does not adhere, arguing that it would be torpedoed by Russia. . TOKEN WITHDRAWALS PROPOSAL MAY BE ABANDONED LONDON, Oct. 26. (Received Oct. 27, at 9 p.m.) Substantial progress was made by the Non-intervention Committee, which met ;n a more conciliatory atmosphere. The proceedings justify guarded optimism that the proposal for token withdrawals will be abandoned. The Soviet indicated that she might consider belligerent rights before the complete evacuation of foreigners from Spain. The meeting revealed that all the Governments were substantially in agreement on the draft resolution except the Soviet, which still has reservations regarding belligerent rights. . After discussion an amended

resolution was again submitted to the Governments. It is hoped that further progress will be made at the meeting on October 29. In the meantime the chairman and the secretary have been instructed to prepare the terms of reference for the commissions to Spain and suggest the personnel. Signor Grandi explained that his statement of October 22 that Italy could not pledge herself in advance to accept the commission's estimates meant that all parties must be satisfied with regard to the unimpeachibility of the personnel and the terms of reference. BRITAIN'S MAIN CONCERN KEEPING THE SEAS OPEN LONDON, Oct. 27. (Received Oct. 27, at 11 p.m.) Mr A. Duff-Cooper, First Lord of the Admiralty, replying to criticism concerning Spain, declined to accept the suggestion that the war was carried on with greater barbarity bv one side than the other. "The Government policy is that what goes on in Spain is not our concern, but we must keep the high seas free for British commerce. The question arises, where to draw the line for non-intervention in Spain. We have drawn it at the three-mile limit. We have been told* of refugees drowning in territorial waters within reach of his Majesty's ships, which have not rescued them. It is not pleasant to think of neutrals watching sufferings and refusing to intervene, but it is part of a great policy and a sound policy that they should not intervene." ITALY DISTRUSTS RUSSIA ROME, Oct.' 27. • (Received Oct. 28, at 1.45 a.m.) The events at yesterday's nonintervention discussion are regarded as revealing Signor Mussolini's genuine anxiety for an agreement, but all quarters distrust the Russian attitude of studied obstruction. FRENCH PRESS COMMENT PARIS, Oct. 27. (Received Oct. 28, at 1.45 a.m.) . The press generally regards the atmosphere as encouraging, but the progress disappointing, - though radicals deduce that Britain is drawing closer to General Franco and Italy. Figaro Republique foresees the early and complete isolation of Russia. L'CEurve predicts that a major insurgent offensive at Almeria will forestall the commission's findings on figures of foreign troops. Official circles are obviously disappointed that Russia has not made a -greater effort' to reach a compromise. Messages from Madrid mention the increasing appearance of white flags on houses. In addition, many militiamen are going over to the insurgents' side.