FRENCH SUSPICIOUS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 252, 23 October 1937, Page 9

FRENCH SUSPICIOUS

ITALY IN SPAIN Crucial Problems Not Solved IS DUCE PLAYING FOR TIME? (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Oct. 22, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 21. The Paris correspondent of The Times says that past experience has made the French suspicious of anything that can be construed as playing for time, but that if Italy gives evidence of real readiness to allow the Spaniards to decide the issue themselves, France will not be backward in making concessions.

“Pertinax,” writing in the Echo de Paris, says that neither the mode of withdrawal of volunteers nor the hour when belligerent rights are to he granted can be decided without the agreement of Britain and Germany, and hence the two crucial problems are not yet solved.

L’Oeuvre considers that Signor Mussolini wants to gain time as General Franco’s brother is actually in Italy arranging details of a great offensive against Madrid.

NO VITAL CHANGE ADMISSION IN ROME DEADLOCK POSTPONED ROME, Oct. 21. Italian political circles frankly admit that there is no vital change in the situation and consider that the principal advantage of Count Grandi’s proposal is that it postpones the deadlock on non-inter-vention and indirectly helps the Italian case. FEELING IN LONDON VOLUNTEERS QUESTION »iEW DEVELOPMENT WARMLY WELCOMED [ British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, Oct. 21. The development which took place yesterday in the Non-Intervention Committee is warmly welcomed in London and is regarded as having resolved the deadlock. The Times says that Count Grandi’s speech marked a long step towards a reasonable final agreement for insulating the Spanish conflict. It is now expected that there will be a small token withdrawal of foreign combatants almost immediately, which will be followed, after the report by the International Commission, by a general withdrawal during which, at a stage to be fixed, the grant of belligerent rights will become effective. The Daily Telegraph says that the development marks a break in the clouds. There may be room for criticism in detail, but this new Italian proposal seems to offer, if not all that could be desired, as much as could be achieved under any scheme yet submitted.

The Daily Herald discusses the possible reason underlying the complete and sudden change in the formal attitude of Italy, but deciares "No one would be so foolish as to lose what chance there may be of securing the withdrawal of Italian troops. Their presence in Spain is the greatest of all menaces to the prospects of democracy in Spain and peace in Europe." The Daily Express says that whatever causes have conspired to make the new situation, the tact is that the European tension is relieved. The Daily Mail says that patience has had its reward and that the gesture by Italy will be welcomed throughout the world. Preparation of Machinery British experts are examining the details of machinery for carrying out the tasks entrusted to the British Government by the Non-Intervention Committee. It will be first necessary to agree on the form of the Commission to be sent to Spain. Plans mu<t also be drawn up for the transport cf th_> men to be evacuated and for their reception in the countries of their birth or domicile. The intricate arrangements this will involve will not be necessary to effect an immediate token withdrawal of a specified number from both sides which it is suggested should precede the larger evacuation. It is believed that the non-intervention organisation already existing should be adequate for this purpose.