QUICK DECISIONS SOUGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 246, 16 October 1937, Page 9

QUICK DECISIONS SOUGHT

NON-INTERVENTION IN SPAIN MR. EDEN INFORMS COUNT GRANDI DISCUSSIONS MUST BE FINAL EFFORT MUST BE NO THREAT TO FRENCH COMMUNICATIONS (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) Received Oct. 15, 8.32 p.m. LONDON. Oct. 15. . In an interview at the Foreign Office, Mr. Eden advised the Italian Ambassador, Count Grandi, of the understanding on which Britain and France had initiated the latest non-intervention effort, and emphasised the need for quick decisions. Count Grandi concurred generally and said that Italy desired nothing better than to clear the troubled atmosphere, but the responsibility was not hers alone. A message from Paris says that President M. Lebrun presided at an important Cabinet meeting to which the defence chiefs had been summoned. The Foreign Minister, M. Delbos, outlined the contemplated Franco-British proposals regarding non-intervention in Spain and Cabinet unanimously approved of the text of a Note on the subject to Britain. France favours making the Non-Intervention Committee talks as short as possible. In the meantime, it. is likely that consultations between French and British defence experts will take place. Britain recognises that it is of vital importance that there shall be no threat to French communications. It is understood that the French Note to Britain is extremely downright in tone regarding French policy in the Mediterranean and declares unequivocally that France has agreed to refer the question of withdrawal of volunteers in Spain to the Non-Inter-vention Committee solely at the request of the London authorities. It requests that the discussion must be considered a final effort and that dilatory methods must be firmly excluded. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that France makes it clear that she cannot in any circumstances tolerate an Italian occupation oil Minorca, which would strike at the very roots of the French defence system. Prompt reinforcements from Africa arc essential to French military policy, Mid transports pass between Sardinia and Minorca within sight of Minorca. It has long been an open secret that Majorca is itrongly held by 200 Italian ’planes and a garrison and is a base for Italian warships. The French Government has not suggested the occupation of Minorca, but that British and French warships shall be stationed at the port of Mahon to watch developments.