ITALY MAKES PROPOSALS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 251, 22 October 1937, Page 7

ITALY MAKES PROPOSALS

NON-INTERVENTION IN SPAIN WILLING TO ENTER SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION SUGGESTED [ British Official Wirelees.] RUGBY, Get. 20. At the meeting of the Sub-eommittee of the Non-Interven-tion Committee, Count Grandi announced that the Italian Government is ready to accept the following proposals:— An International Commission to be sent immediately to Epain to ascertain the exact number of foreign nationals fighting with the two parties in the conflict. The result of the investigation will make it possible to decide in what manner and proportion withdrawals should take place. Consideration to be given to the question of granting belligerent rights as soon as the Committee had at its disposal the Commission’s report so as to decide at what moment and in what maimer rights should be recognised. In this the Italian Government is willing to join in a spirit of compromise and with the aim of finding common ground of agreement. Number of Withdrawals. Count Grandi described as the principal stumbling block hitherto the question of when the countries participating in the Non-Intervention Agreement are prepared to grant belligerent rights. Quoting the British plan for recognition to become effective when the Non-Intervention Committee records the opinion that arrangements for the withdrawal of foreign nationals are working satisfactorily and withdrawal has made substantial progress, Count Grandi suggested that his Government had met this point by its proposals. This matter would be settled when the Committee received the report of the Commission sent to Spain. Lastly he referred to the number of withdrawals quoted in the British proposal for an equivalent number of each side to be withdrawn preliminarily without prejudice to any principle the Committee might later adopt for a general withdrawal. Count Grandi said that Italy accepted this “without prejudice to the proportion in the number of volunteers who will subsequently be evacuated, and which will be agreed upon when the final evacuation occurs.’’ He concluded that he was certain the meeting would reveal a general movement towards a reasonable and final agreement. Mr. Anthony Eden (Britain) said he understood the proposal was first, that there should be a token withdrawal and then would come the withdrawal proper and an authority would decide this on the report of the Commission. Count Grandi replied in the affirmative. (There was a general understanding among those present that the token withdrawal will be of equal numbers, but this point will be discussed on Friday). Herr Wocrmann (Germany) said that the German Government accepted token withdrawals of equal numbers from both sides. Germany solidly supported and accepted the Italian proposals and believed in the re-establishment and enforcement of control. Soviet Disagrees With British Plan. M. Maisky (Soviet Russia) demurred at the passage in the official communique agreeing that -.he chairman should consider machinery. It was made to appear, he said, that the Soviet Government agreed to the British plan, which was not the case. He adaed that he would formulate reservations later. Representatives to Report. LONDON, Oct. 20. An official statement issued at the conclusion of the sitting of the Sub-Committee of the Non-Intervention Committee stated" “After hearing the statements of the representatives and taking note of the substantial degree of progress achieved towards agreement on the main points at issue, the representatives undertook to report to their respective Governments the substance of the discussion. The committee agreed that the chairman should consider machinery which will be required to give effect to the proposals at the next meeting, to be held on October 22.’’