SOVIET ATTITUDE TO SPAIN

Southland Times, Issue 22962, 7 August 1936, Page 7

SOVIET ATTITUDE TO SPAIN

Belief In Neutrality PREPARED TO TAKE PART IN AGREEMENT AID TO REBELS DECRIED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.55 p.m.) Moscow, August 6. The Soviet has replied to France that she shares the principle of non-inter-ference in the internal affairs of Spain and is ready to participate in the proposed agreement, that she desires Portugal to join in, and “that the assistance rendered by certain States to the rebels be immediately discontinued.” A British Official Wireless message states that the announcement that the British Government’s reply to the French Note strongly supports the general principle of the French Government that there be an agreed arrangement among the various Powers for non-intervention in Spain is welcomed in all responsible British quarters. The Times says: "It is really imperative for everyone that a general policy of non-intervention should be adopted. Europe is full of tinder which a single spark of impetuous or calculated partisanship may set ablaze. The civil war in Spain might very easily become a civil war in Europe; that must at all costs be prevented.” The Daily Telegraph says that there will be no rapid agreement on details of joint policy unless all Powers are equally agreed on two points. One is to treat the Spanish peril as a menace to the general peace of Europe, and not as an affair of Black and Red; the other is to refrain from fishing for their own selfish interests in troubled waters. Non-intervention would be best for Spain and safest for Europe, it adds. No Word From Rome. The French Note was sent also to Rome where it is understood to be still under consideration. Belgium agrees, and reports state that Germany is also prepared to discuss the best means for ensuring general neutrality, provided Russia also accepts the proposal. The British reply is known to have emphasized the anxiety which the British Government shares with the French over the consequences which might ensue from support of any of the parties to the Spanish conflict by outside Powers. There would be no objection, however, in the British view to a declaration by the Powers most immediately interested that they would prevent the supply from their territories of arms and munitions of war to Spain in advance of a general agreement to the same effect. The British Government itself has been acting all along in conformity with the principle of non-intervention, and therefore it will certainly be ready to join in making such a declaration as soon as the other governments are prepared to do so.