ITALIANS TO LEAVE SPAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21155, 30 September 1938, Page 9

ITALIANS TO LEAVE SPAIN

DRAMATIC STROKE BY IL DUCE Withdrawal Already ini Progress Reason for Sudden Decision United Press Association— By Electrle Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 29. The Rome correspondent of the British United Press reports that Signor Mussolini has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all Italian volunteers from Spain. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REMOVING LAST OBSTACLE TO PACT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 29, 8.55 p.m.) ROME. September 29. Count Ciano (Italian Foreign Minister) is believed to have informed Lord Perth (British Ambassador to Italy), of the decision to withdraw Italian volunteers from Spain, intimating that the last obstacle to the application of the Anglo-Italian Pact has thereby been removed. It is stated that Signor Mussolini decided on the withdrawal after General Franco’s announcement that he would be neutral in any European war, also in view of Senor Negrin’s decision to evacuate foreigners. It is understood here that the evacuation of Italians has already begun. ness of the situation. As a result, the British Ambassador (Sir Nevile Henderson) was recalled to London for consultation and a meeting of Ministers held. On August 13 (the next day), Sir Nevile returned to Berlin and gave the State Secretary at the German Foreign Office a strong personal warning regarding the probable attitude of the British Government —already defined as Mr Chamberlain had reminded the House in his speech on March 24in the event of German aggression against Czecho-Slovakia, particularly it France were compelled to intervene. Two days later, continued Mr Chamberlain, Sir Nevile repeated his warning to the German Foreign Minister. Mr Chamberlain explained that the British Government desired to impress the seriousness of the situation upon the German Government without the risk of further aggravation of the situation by any formal representations which might have been interpreted by the German Government as a public rebuff as had been the case tn regard to representations made on May 21. At the same time, with the Nuremberg conference in prospect, the British Minister at Prague saw the President of Czecho-Slovakia (Dr. Benes) and impressed on him the vital necessity of further concessions. Dealing with the Nuremberg speech and the Immediate deterioration which followed it, Mr Chamberlain came in turn to the first meeting with Hitler at Berchtesgaden. "Would Risk War” “At this conversation, which lasted three hours. I very soon became aware that the situation was much more acute and urgent than I realised, said Mr Chamberlain. In courteous, but perfectly definite terms, Herr Hitler made it plain that he had made up his mind that the Sudeten Germans must have the right of selfdetermination and oi returning, it they wished, to the Reich. If they could not achieve thii by their own efforts, he said, Germany would assist that rather than wait, he would be prepared to risk a world war. “So strongly did I get the impression that the Chancellor was contemplating invasion of Czecho-Slovakia that I asked him why he allowed me to travel all that way since it was evidently wasting my time. He said if I could give him there and then an assurance that the British Government accepted the principle of selfdetermination, he was quite ready to discuss ways and means of carrying it out.” "I was, of course, in no position to give there and then such an assurance,” added the Prime Minister, “but I undertook to return at once to consult my colleagues If he would refrain from active hostilities until I had had time to obtain their reply. That assurance he gave, provided, he said, nothing happened in Czecho-Slovakia of such a nature as to force his hands, and that assurance remained binding ever since. “I have no doubt, now looking back, that my visit alone prevented the invasion for which everything had been prepared, and it is clear to me that with German troops in the positions they then occupied nothing that anybody could do would prevent that invasion unless the right of self-deter-mination was granted, and that quickly, to the Sudeten Germans, and that was the sole hope of a peaceful solution." Mr Chamberlain then described his return to London to consult Cabinet, which received the views of Lord Runciman and held discussions with French Ministers and gave advice which the French and British Governments tendered at Prague and which was accepted unconditionally in September 21. He added that Sir Basil Newton was instructed to inform Czecho-Slo-vakia next day that Britain was profoundly conscious of the immense sacrifice which Czecho-Slovakia had agreed to and the immense publlo Interest that Government had shown. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) said he was certain that everyone in the House would welcome the statement. He was sure- every Member was desirous o.‘ neglecting no chance of preserving peace, without sacrificing the principle. He would wish to give the Prima Minister every opportunity of following this new move. (Labour cheers). The House adjourned at 3.10 am. Members crowded round Mr Chamberlain, shaking hands and congratulating him.