PLEA TO LEAGUE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19337, 29 May 1937, Page 6

PLEA TO LEAGUE

INTERVENTION IN SPAIN "FOREIGN AGGRESSION" BRITISH CASE STATED PARTIALITY DENIED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Mav 29, 1.30 p.m.) ' LONDON, May 28. The British Foreign Secretary, Air. Anthony Eden, speaking at Geneva, said that the replies from the Governments in reference to the withdrawal of volunteers from Spain varied in temper, but they by no means precluded the possibility'of an agreement. lie added that occasionally a, tendency had been shown to misunderstand Britain's motives in Spain. No details were available, but, at a conservative estimate, more than 20X00 refugees had been transported by British _ ships. Charges of partiality were unjustified. Mr. Eden said that despite the many difficulties it had bad to face, the non-intervention committee had made great, progress in limiting foreign interference in the Spanish conflict. "While, however, we are entitled to register the measures of success which have been achieved, the Governments of Europe cannot be satisfied that, the objectives of the committee have been realised until the last foreigner Jias been withdrawn, from Spain and until that unhappy country has been allowed to settle her own destiny in her own way.' he said. ''Foreigners' engaged in hostilities, whether on one side or the other, have no business on Spanish soil. When at length the conflict is over. the Spanish people will not readily forget tho large part foreign nations actively played in the destruction of Spanish life and property." Mr. Eden added that the British Government had made inquiries among other Governments to ascertain whether they would join in an approach to Tooth the contending parties in. Spain asking them to agree to a temporary cessation ol hostilities on all. Spanish, fronts lor a period sufficient to enable the withdrawal of volunteers to lie arranged. A number of replies from the. Governments had been received, but he would not attempt to analyse, them at present Senor Delvayo", saying that the Valencia Government accepted the proposals for the withdrawal of volunteers, demanded that, the League should take a firm stand to save Spain from foreign aggression. Ho deplored the fact that 70,000 or 80,000 Italians had been poured into a sovereign independent country in order to hew their way by fire and sword into the Capital. After accusing the Germans ot razing Guenvica, Senor Delvayo concluded: "The fact that Italians taken prisoners in the last battle were equipped with gas masks gives reason to fear that gas may bo, used in an attempt to break into Bilbao. ... Tho New Zealand representative, -Mr. W. J. Jordan, asked tho Council to support the cessation of hostilities. The meeting was adjourned.