VISIT TO SPAIN DEFENDED

Southland Times, Issue 23379, 10 December 1937, Page 5

VISIT TO SPAIN DEFENDED

Criticism Surprises Major Attlee NO BREACH OF FAITH INTENDED (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 9, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, December 9. The Leader of the Labour Opposition (Major C. R. Attlee), who is at present at Barcelona, expressed surprise at the criticism by members of the House of Commons over his visit to Spain as the guest of the Spanish Government Major Attlee said he was entitled to come to Spain to obtain a first-hand impression. Miss Ellen Wilkinson, M.P., one of his companions, said that Major Attlee had done nothing that could be interpreted as a breach of faith. “Why should we not say what we have seen? That is what we came for, anyway,” said Miss Wilkinson. Major Attlee is returning to London tomorrow. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) will be asked in the House of Commons today to provide time next week for discussion on the motion for a vote of censure on Major Attlee, of which notice was given yesterday by Mr W. S. Liddall (Conservative). In an interview later Major Attlee said: “I will deal appropriately with the censure motion when I return to London.” 1 •! id

After considering the replies from General Franco’s representatives and the Spanish Government, the NonIntervention Committee decided that they constituted acceptance in principle of the committee’s plans for control in Spain and the withdrawal of volunteers. The committee is now considering the various schemes point by point. This work is expected to take several days. The Chairman’s Sub-Committee will meet today. LOYALIST APPEAL TO DEMOCRACIES CARLIST LEADER PLEDGES FAITH TO FRANCO (Received December 10, 1.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 9. The Spanish Minister of War (Senor Indalecio Prieto) in a statement said that the insurgents were receiving great quantities of war materials every day for use in a concerted offensive, but the republic was confident of the outcome.

Senor Prieto appealed to the world democracies not to be duped by Machiavellian diplomacy which sheltered an intention to subjugate the world after first attacking easy victims. The San Sebastian correspondent of The Times says that Prince Xavier of Bourbon-Parma, the provisional Carlist leader, called on General Franco and declared his unswerving allegiance to the Nationalists (rebels). This was his first contact, but it is too early to say whether the dynastic rift is healed, though Prince Xavier assured General Franco that file hatchet would remain buried till the common enemy was beaten to his knees. REBEL BLOCKADE NOT RECOGNIZED BRITISH SHIPPING TO BE PROTECTED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 7. A Note has been received from the Spanish insurgent authorities about the declaration recently made on the blockade of the Spanish Government coasts.

The British Ambassador (Sir Henry Chilton) has been instructed to remind General Franco that belligerent rights have not been recognized, therefore the British Government cannot recognize any right to declare a blockade. British shipping, it is . stated, will continue to be protected when trading with Spanish ports. In reference to the suggestion that approaches to the ports will be mined, the attention of the insurgent authorities is called to The Hague Convention forbidding the laying of mines off the coasts and ports of an enemy with the sole object of intercepting commercial navigation.

LOYALIST ART TREASURES TO BE RETURNED

ROUEN, December 8. The Court of Appeal has repealed an order for the seizure of 1000 cases of art treasures held by Basque and Asturian banks and shipped from Gijon to Le Havre by order of the Spanish Government before the entry of the insurgents into Gijon. The court ruled that it was within the power of the sovereign Government of Spain to safeguard the treasures entrusted to it, and the cases will be returned to the Spanish Government.