BELGIUM LEAVES COMMITTEE

Southland Times, Issue 23680, 1 December 1938, Page 5

BELGIUM LEAVES COMMITTEE

CHANGE IN ATTITUDE TO SPAIN

BRITAIN ANXIOUS ABOUT FUTURE OF BODY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received November 30, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 29. The Belgian Prime Minister (Dr Paul Spaak) announced today that Belgium was discontinuing her participation on the Non-Intervention Committee and was negotiating with a view to representation at Burgos, the Spanish rebel headquarters. The Australian Associated Press says that in addition to Belgium’s action Sweden has advised her intention of withdrawing -her representative from the chairman’s sub-committee of the Non-Intervention Committee. She will retain membership of the main NonIntervention Committee. Similar action by other small Powers is possible. Official circles in London do not conceal their concern at these withdrawals, from which disturbing conclusions can be drawn. It is stated that there is no cause for a change in the British and French views, but that the possibility has arisen that the committee will quietly disappear. Admiral von Dulm (Holland) has resigned as chairman of the Non-In-tervention Board because of personal reasons. This action will not affect Holland”s participation. In a report on the bombings of Barcelona the commission for the investigation of air bombardments in Spain expresses the opinion that there would be loss of life and property whenever an attack on the port area was made from high altitudes at an angle to the coast. The report concludes: “In view of this, if such attacks on the port area continue they must be regarded as tantamount to deliberate attacks on the civilian population as well.”

REBELS MASSING AT ALMADEN BRITISH VESSEL FORCED AGROUND (Independent Cable Service) ) • LISBON, November 29. General Quiepo de Llano is massing mechanized forces and cavalry ■to resume the offensive at Almaden. A rebel aeroplane chased the British freigh':r Toussika outside Sagunto last night and dropped bombs near the vessel, forcing her aground on the nearby beach. REBELS MACHINE-GUN PASSENGER TRAIN (Received December 1, 12.10 a.m.) MADRID, November 30. Eight persons were killed and 50 were wounded, of whom 19 are women and children, when a rebel aeroplane machine-gunned a passenger train between Jaen and Alcaudete.