TRYING OF PATIENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 247, 18 October 1937, Page 7

TRYING OF PATIENCE

INTERVENTION IN SPAIN Hint of Freedom of Action POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS IN MEDITERRANEAN [ British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, Oct. 15. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, speaking at a Conservative Party rally at Llandudno, said it was on Spain and the Far East, where undeclared wars were raging, that attention was fixed to-day. As to Spain, events had proved right the policy of non-intervention pursued by Britain. There was a distinction between non-intervention and indifference. They were not indifferent to the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Spain, to the foreign policy of any future Spanish Government, to compliactions which might arise in the Mediterranean as a result of the intervention of others in Spain, or to the vital British interests in the Mediterranean. A clear distinction must be made between •non-interven-tion in what was a purely Spanish affair and non-intervention where British interests were at stake. The piracy in the Mediterranean was an example of the latter. “One feature of the present situation is proclaimed intervention—glorification of breaches of agreement. In such conditions none can complain if the patience of those who have striven to keep their responsibilities towards Europe constantly before them is well night exhausted. < for one should certainly not be prepared to utter criticism of any nation which, if such conditions continue, felt compelled to resume its freedom of action.”

Mr Eden then described the rapid and effective action taken at the Nyon Conference. Piracy on the high seas had ceased, and the British would continue to be watchful to see that their interests in the Mediterranean and in the maintenance of communications with the Near East and India were not endangered. He spoke with regret of the Italian refusal of the joint Anglo-French invitation, because unless progress could be made at once and rapidly the situation must—citing the words of Mr Chamberlain at Scarborough—cause increasing anxiety. Progress in the Non-Intervention Committee, in which Italy suggested re-examination of the problem, was difficult. If Breakdown Occurs “None the less, France and ourselves do not wish a breakdown to come,” he continued. “If it does come, it must be upon an issue which might be represented as one of procedure, and so we have agreed to reference of the matter to the Committee meeting to-morrow. This, of course, does not mean that we are prepared to acquiesce in dilatory tactics.

“The next few days will show whether or not the nations are prepared to make sincere efforts to deal with the Spanish problem in a spirit of real international collaboration. If, however, the Committee is now unable to make progress as it was unable to make progress last July, then I fear it is useless to conceal from ourselves the gravity of the situation that will confront us.”

Turning to the Far East, Mr Eden said it was earnestly to be hoped that all those whose co-operation was necessary would be present at the proposed Nine-Power meeting. Britain would co-operate heartily at the meeting in the spirit of President Roosevelt’s declaration at Chicago, which was indeed a “clarion call.” Britain and the League Describing the conflicting advice urged upon him either to make the League work by putting the whole weight of Britain behind it or to cut adrift from the League, Mr Eden declared that the international situation did not lend itself to that kind ot over-simplification. He himself was second to none in the desire to see the League fulfil its purposes, and it would be a sad day for the world if all these hopes were finally banished, but the members of the League were not heedless fanatics and must count seriously the cost of any action they might take. Many persons, including himself, had been convinced that loss of authority by the League would usher in a period of greater uncertainty. That was proving true. Turning to those who advocated throwing over the League in order to come to terms with States outside it, Mr Eden said he was as anxious as anybody to remove disagreements with Germany, Italy, or any other country, but they must be sure they were not improving the situation in one direction at the expense of deterioration in another. He disclaimed anew any desire on the part of Britain to isolate any coun try or ring it around with enemies. VIEWS ON SPEECH OPINIONS OF AMBASSADORS Received Oct. 17, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 17. Count Grandi, referring to Mr Eden's speech, doubted whether such statements would help the Non-Inter-vention Committee or the non-inter-ventionist policy. Herr von Ribbentrop, also referring to Mr Eden, said his remarks gave the impression that the handling of nonintervention was a sort of special privilege for Britain and France, adding: “I am sorry that Mr Eden's reference to dilatoriness was not addressed to the right quarter, namely Russia, whose tactics caused a breakdown in July and without whose interference there would be no need for the Non-Intervention Committee. The German Government wishes equally with others that the Spanish war shall end, ana therefore I do not see why there should be indications given regarding the exhaustion of. patience, freedom of action and so on. If the question of freedom of action ever arises I must oppose the suggestion that anyone could have a greater right to that freedom than Germany and Italy.” He added: “I wonder Whether Valencia will be able to

without drastic measures the voluntary Bolsheviks who have arrived from all over the world and whose return to their countries is not desired."

M. Maisky scathingly attacked Italy as among the Powers whose flagrant intervention had become an international scandal of the first magnitude. He asked whether at a time when there were persistent reports of a great concentration of foreigp air forces for attacks on Spanish ti’wns, if it were an accident that the Committee had been called on to indulge in endless talks as a substitute for speedy action. Count Grandi's and Herr von Ribbentrop's speeches showed that the reference back to the committee of the volunteer problem would not assist non-intervention or European peace. GRADUAL WITHDRAWAL FRENCH PROPOSAL SHORT PERIOD TO ACT PARIS. Oct. 15. “Pertinax,” writing in the Echo de Paris, says that the French Note to Britain provides for the progressive withdrawal of volunteers from Spain within a short period, under the control of neutral delegates, after which belligerent rights could be granted to General Franco’s forces and to the Government.

Le Matin states that Italy is willing to withdraw 5000 volunteers, but it appears they would mostly be ill or disabled troops. Official circles in Rome state that the withdrawal of Italian volunteers would have to be approved by General Franco.

NATION UNITED SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT I British Official Wireless.] Received Oct. 17, 6.30 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 16. Britain’s policy on Spain as defined in Mr Eden’s speech at Llandudno, receives great prominence in the press. It is generally agreed by the newspapers that not for many years has a British Foreign Minister had to speak at a time of greater international tension and disquiet. The Daily Telegraph says: “The policy which Mr Eden professes is simply stated. It will recommend itself to the good sense of the British people. Mr Eden has not only spoken the mind of the nation, he has rallied to his policy the full weight oi the nation’s support.” The Daily Express says: “Mr Eden warns all the powers that British interests will be protected in the Mediterranean. In that we march with France and w’here our interests coincide, co-operation is plain sense. The public mood is calm and resolute and opinion is united behind that of the Government.”

The Birmingham Post says that Mr. Eden’s speech is the brake on the Fascist Powers for which the democracies have been asking.