NON-INTERVENTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23499, 13 May 1938, Page 9

NON-INTERVENTION

FIERCE ATTACK ON POLICY CHIEF TOPIC AT GENEVA “LET US END THIS SHAM” (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) GENEVA, May 12. (Received May 12, at 5.5 p.m.) A fierce attack by Senor del Vayo on non-intervention was the chief topic at the League Council meeting. Senor del Vayo again demanded that the Spanish Government should be free to buy war material, “ Let us end this sham,” he declared. Foreign intervention had been intensified in recent months and Italy flagrantly violated her promise to Britain by the despatch of reinforcements during the progress of the negotiations which resulted in the Anglo-Italian agreement. The Spanish Government invited the League commission to Spain to investigate the position. Lord Halifax reiterated Britain’s reasons for adherence to non-inter-vention and argued that though breaches occurred on both sides the policy had been at least partially successful. He believed AngloItalian and Italian-French agreements would contribute to the ending of foreign participation. He stressed the League’s qualifications for acting as an organ of conciliation. M. Bonnet said the French Government was convinced that nonintervention was the only policy conforming with the interests of European peace, with ultimate benefit to 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.” 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 we are now using.” M. Litvinoff said that the Soviet also shared Senor del Vayo’s views. Dr Munters (Latvia), who presided, proposed to close the dicussion, but Senor del Vayo claimed the right of reply, whereupon Dr Munters said he would consult his colleagues on future procedure. The Council adjourned. REBEL ADVANCE RESUMED / LOYALISTS TRAPPED LONDON, May 12. (Received May 12, at 10.30 p.m.) The Times Burgos correspondent says the rebel advance has been resumed, cutting off the loyalist retreat between the provinces of Castellon and Teruel. THE “ LOST DIVISION” REBEL ATTACKS REPULSED BARCELONA, May 11. (Received May 12, at 11 p.m.) Colonel Antonio Beltrans, of the so-called “ lost division ” of loyalists, is still checking two rebel divisions, which have three times been repulsed.