STILL SERIOUS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 253, 25 October 1937, Page 7

STILL SERIOUS

Obstacles To Agreement THE SPANISH PROBLEM SOVIET MAY BE STUMBLING BLOCK (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 22. To-day’s proceedings in the Non-Intervention Sub-committee clearly showed that serious obstacles to agreement still remain. The Italian, German, and Portuguese representatives insisted on the unanimity of all the members of the Committee, hut it is apparent that the Soviet may be a stumbling block. The draft resolution comprises six main ; Ints, as follows: 1. '- he withdrawal under internati< :. ; supervision of all nonSpaniards. 2. Arrangements for the immediate withdrawal as a token of a number of non-Spaniards from both sides. 3. The appointment of two commissions to Spain. 4. The question of determining conlitions under which limited belligermt rights shall be granted. 5. A reaffirmation by the participating countries not to permit the dispatch of volunteers to Spain. 6. The reinstitution and strengthening: of land and sea control. Count Grandi reaffirmed Italy’s acceptance of the British plan “provided all members of the sub-committee accept equally with Italy.” He urged the desirability of ascertaining whether the plan consisted of a solemn engagement by all Governments. The Soviet’s Objection M. Maisky (Russia - ) then took up the “unenviable position of bringing the discussion back to reality. Ample he said, “shows that the pßr.ci proposals will merely further th' .. . o f sending more troops to

M tqisky said that the Soviet ccum pot accept the political responsibility of accepting the proposals, bur it had no objection to the dispatch of Commissions provided there was no delay in reporting to the Non-Inter-vention Committee. The Soviet regarded the proposed token withdrawal of a thousand from each side as unfair. There should be proportionate numbers.

Questioned by the chairman. Mr Anthony Eden, M. Maisky said that the Soviet still was not prepared to grant belligerent rights before the withdrawal of all volunteers. In contrast with his attitude on October 19, when he gave an assurance that the Soviet would not hinder other nations carrying out the plans, M. Maisky to-day declared that the Soviet could not simply be an observer and must participate in the work of the Committee. It thus became apparent that the Soviet did not intend, even though a minority of one, to allow the rest of the Committee to v.ork the scheme. Intention Not Clear Mr Eden thereupon remarked that it hardly seemed worth while wasting tiir. ? continuing. M. Maisky: I disapprove the principle, but might agree to the particular. Precisely what M. Maisky meant was not clear. Mr Eden then decided to continue consideration of the draft. Count Grandi produced a counterdraft resolution from which some points were embodied in the final draft. Another difficulty which is still unsettled is whether the parties should be bound by the figures produced oy the two Commissions to Spain. Italy. Germany, and Portugal indicated that they would not be bound. All the Governments are now being asked to state their attitude and also alternative proposals. ITALY’S WORD MUST BE ACCEPTED REPLY TO CRITICISM IN COMMONS [ British Official Wireless ] RUGBY, Oct. 22. Referring in the House of Commons debate on foreign affairs to doubts thrown by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. R. Attlee, on the good faith of the Italian Government in connection with the offer contained in Count Grandi’s non-in-tervention speech,, the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, said that if in foreign affairs they were always going to begin with the assumption that the other party would not hold to anything it promised they were not likely to get anywhere. The first thing to do was to ascertain how many volunteers there were on either side, and the proposal was that the withdrawal should be in proportion of those numbers as were found on the two sides. It was proposed that there should be no further intervention while the withdrawal was taking place. The British Government would not consider an arrangement acceptable which allowed further volunteers to be poured in while nominally withdrawals were being made.

Dealing with a suggestion widelyheld that even if all went well with the control of volunteers nevertheless when the war was over it might be found that Italians - were still in Spain, still in possession of some of the Balearic Islands, and the possibility that these ports might be used for military purposes, he said he believed such an idea to be unfounded. The British Government had had repeated and most categorical assurances from Italy. WILL NOT GO FURTHER ATTITUDE OF ITALY Received Oct. 24. 9 p.m. ROME, Oct. 23. An official communique, alluding to the grave difficulties of the Non-In-tervention Committee, announces that Italy will make no further substantial concessions. Foreign circles are surprised at ths

communique, which makes sharp references to the British and French inexplicable indulgence of Russia’s attitude and opposition to non-inter-vention. Italy’s clarification and contribution is not a sequel it is hopec for her cards are in brder and she cannot grant further concessions. Events on the Asturian front have reawakened opposition and Italy will not accept the slightest responsibility for any breakdown. REAL SPAIN WILL EMERGE SECOND WINTER BEING ENTERED Received Oct. 24, 8.40 p.m. MADRID, Oct. 23. The Negrin, broadcasting, said that the Government was entering its second winter campaign after which the real Spain would emerge victorious. Italy' and Germany were using the Non-Intervention Committee solely for the purpose of gaining time. ITALIANS IN SPAIN TOTAL ABOUT 10,000 ROME. Oct. 24. A communique says that Italian Ambassadors have been instructed to inform the British and French Governments that Italian volunteers in Spain total about 40,000. The communique added: “Who says to,the contrary, knowingly lies." 700 WOUNDED ITALIANS ARRIVAL AT NAPLES Received Oct. 24. 8.40 p.m. ROME, Oct. 23. A hospital ship arrived at Naples or. October 22 with 700 wounded Italians from Spain. HOPE STILL HIGH PROPOSALS HAVE GONE FORWARD THE ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN [ British Official Wireless.J Received Oct. 24, 6 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 23. There is some impatience in London at the new check with which the Non-Intervention sub-committee met yesterday. However, the proposals, which the supple but firm chairmanship of Mr. Anthony Eden enabled the committee to edit, have now gone to the Governments of the respective Powers and not until the committee reassembles—it is understood the next meeting is postponed until Tuesday—and the effect of their respective Government’s new instructions to their representatives can be seen, will hope be relinquished that the more favourable prospects, which emerged from the important lealian contribution at Wednesday's meeting, will not prove illusory. Britain, as Mr. Eden emphassied in the House of Commons on Thursday, has not ceased to believe that non-intervention policy is the right one, but as Mr. Fden also made clear, it would not be possible for any Government to continue to associate itself for an indefinite period wit-i an international agreement which is being constantly violated.