FOREIGN TROOPS IN SPAIN

Southland Times, Issue 23320, 2 October 1937, Page 7

FOREIGN TROOPS IN SPAIN

Full Withdrawal Demanded NON-INTERVENTION MAY END RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY LEAGUE (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 1, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 30. After a two-days deadlock the Drafting Committee, appointed as a result of the Spanish appeal, reached an agreement on the text of a resolution which envisages the end of nonintervention unless foreigners are withdrawn. The resolution affirms a State’s obligations not to interfere in another State’s affairs, and regrets that the Non-Intervention Committee failed. It says it must be recognized that there is a foreign army corps on Spanish soil, representing intervention in Spain’s affairs, and expresses the hope that the diplomatic action initiated by certain Powers will be successful in securing the complete withdrawal of non-Spaniards. If they are not withdrawn very soon the League will consider ending non-intervention Contending that it contained a threat to Italy, Mr Eamon de Valera, President of the Irish Free State, attempted to prevent the League Political Committee from adopting the Drafting Committee’s resolution on Spain. Mr de Valera objected to the stipulation that if non-Spaniards are not withdrawn very soon the Powers should consider ending non-intervention. M. Delbos replied that the resolution contained no threat and did not oblige any State to change its policy. The resolution was adopted, the Irish Free State, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Portugal not voting. South Africa reserved its vote pending instructions from its Government.

It is expected in Rome that Italy will reject the Anglo-French proposal at the Three-Power Conference for the withdrawal of volunteers from Spain. The diplomatic correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says adoption of the League Assembly’s resolution on Spain would provide powerful backing for the forthcoming Anglo-French representations to Italy. It is understood that Signor Grandi called at the Foreign Office and suggested that it might be more appropriate to discuss the matter with the NonIntervention Committee on the ground that the other Powers concerned—namely, Russia and Germany, could not be represented at the Three-Power Conference.

The political correspondent of The Daily Mail says Signor Grandi interviewed Mr R. A. Eden and deprecated any attempt to force Italy into the Three-Power Conference by threats that France would reopen the Spanish frontier unless an agreement was reached. REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES MUST RETURN TO SPAIN (Received October 1, 8.30 p.m.) BAYONNE, September 30. Senor D'Ormoy, Minister of the Interior, states that the Spanish Government has been informed that France cannot in the present state of her finances continue to harbour refugees at her own expense. Fifty-five thousand will be repatriated. Their keep is costing France £6950 daily. The Prime Minister of Spain (Dr Negrin), agreed that there was no other alternative.

The Government ordered that Spanish refugees, numbering some thousands, being maintained by State or local funds, must return shortly. They will be allowed to choose insurgent or Government territory.