EUROPE’S TRIBUTES TO BRITAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20783, 19 July 1937, Page 7

EUROPE’S TRIBUTES TO BRITAIN

KEEPING PEACE IN SPAIN RECEPTION OF PLANS FOR CONTROL CONDITIONS OPPOSED BY GENERAL FRANCO United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 18, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. The plenary meeting of the NonIntervention Committee unanimously agreed that the proposals advanced by the British Government for closing the gap in the observation scheme and enabling the policy of non-intervention to be continued offered a suitable basis f'.r discussion, and referred the plan to the sub-committee, which will meet on Tuesday. The chairman (Lord Plymouth) emphasised that the essentially compromising proposals contained in the plan wer: Intended to provide a workable solution that was acceptable, if not wholly satisfactory, to all parties. As unity of action at sea was no longer possible, It was essential for Governments with naval responsibilities to seek ‘he best means of avoiding risks of ships becoming Involved in incidents. Lord Plymouth added that, in the view of the British Government, the precise conditions in which a limited recognition of belligerent rights would operate in oractice should be discussed forthwith, and they trusted that cooperation would enabl 1 satisfactory detailed arrangements to be made. Members of the committee paid a tribute to the yrork of the British Government in producing the scheme. Speedy Action Essential The German and Italian representatives, after complimenting the British Government, sai 1 they were prepared to recognise the plan as a basis for discussion, agreeing that speedy action was essential. The French Ambassador (M. Corbin) emphasised the importance attached by France to the interdependence of the withdrawal ol volunteers and the granting of belligerent rights. The Soviet representative accepted the plan as a b’sls for discussion and reserved the right to offer amendments. The Portuguese Ambassador Indicated that his Government was willing to reinstate observers on its frontier when a similar course was taken on the Pyrenees. The Australian Associated Press Agency's diplomatic correspondent understands that, although British circles are inclined to be optimistic over the non-intervention proposals, the fact that all are readily agreed does not necessarily indicate a smooth passage. The chairman of the committee (Lord Plymouth) said that extended discussions next week were frowned on, but France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Norway and others indicated that a detailed discussion was necessary for certain aspects. It is regarded likely that unless some breakdown occurs the talks will drag on for a ’ ng period.

"CRIMPS” ACTIVE IN HOLLAND RECRUITS FROM SPAIN (Received July 18, 6.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 16. A police statement says that the activity of crimps seeking recruits In Holland for ■ e Spanish Government has increased since the suppression of French Spanish frontier control. Twenty young Dutchmen have mysteriously disappeared from their homes. GENERAL FRANCO'S ATTITUDE OBJECTIONS TO CONDITIONAL RECOGNITION United Press Assiu ianon—Bv Eleetrlr Teieirranh Cnrv* , ti?h’ (Received July 18, 6.30 p.m.) SALAMANCA. July 17. In a long statement on the non-in-tervention scheme. General Franco declared that his Nationalist. Government has long bleu qualified for belligerent status, therefore the grant of such rights, cannot be conditional on the withdrawal of volunteers In any case the requisite guarantee is not obtainable without the authority of the Valencia Government. The Nationalist army has systematically rejected all aid from foreign volunteers, because it did not need them, but in view of the Reds recruitment of foreigners, the Nationalist Government, placed no difficulties in the way of accepting offers from volunteers. Nevertheless, the granting of belligerent rights would clarify the position. WHAT DISAGREEMENT WOULD MEAN BRITISH MINISTER'S WARNING British Official Wireless RUGBY July 16. Mr R. A. Eden, in the House of Commons last night, said if the British Non-Intervention Committee proposals were accepted, they could provide means for making non-intervention effective and limiting the risk of the conflict spreading, and of confining th > Spanish wai to the Spaniards. If they failed, and non-intervention broke down, Europe would enter upon a new and more perilous phase. He continued: "You will have the unchecked export of arms to both sides; you will have rumours, impossible to check, of arrivals of large numbers of volunteers; you will O o back into the era of grave peril, in which incidents such as have already marked, and must Inevitably mark clvtl war of this kind, will have a much deeper significance. We have sought to discharge our task equitably, and everyone will agree that we have done it rapidly. The British Government believes that these proposals are a contribution to European collaboration, and therefore peace."