INTERESTS IN REBEL SPAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 264, 6 November 1937, Page 9

INTERESTS IN REBEL SPAIN

BRITAIN TO APPOINT AGENTS

DEALINGS WITH FRANCO GOVERNMENT

NO CHANGE IN ATTITUDE TOWARDS CONTENDING PARTIES

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright)

Received Nov. 5, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 4. The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, confirmed, in a speech in the House of Commons, negotiations with the insurgent leader in Spain, General Franco, for the appointment of agents for the discussion of questions affecting British interests and Nationals. The agents will have no diplomatic status. Mr. Chamberlain .said that the Government had no intention of making any variation in the attitude it had consistently adopted to the contending parties. They were, however, bound to take account of their responsibilities for the protection ot British nationals and of commercial interests throughout Spain, including those large areas in the north-west and south-west, as well as in the Spanish zone of Morocco, of which General Franco’s forces are now in effective occupation. Accordingly the Government had entered into negotiations for the appointment of agents by Britain and by General Franco respectively. The Australian Associated Press Agency learns that, the delay in announcing Britain’s representation in insurgent Spain is due to determination to first clear up the sinking by bombing of flic steamer Jean Weems, ’lhe Salamanca authorities have promised .searching inquiry and Britain is awaiting a satisfactory outcome. ' It is emphasised at Whitehall that representation will not mean diplomatic recognition of General Franco. The position will be similar to that in Abyssinia.

SPANISH INSURGENTS PLEASED

LONDON LABOUR PRESS DISAPPROVAL

LONDON, Nov. 4. The Salamanca correspondent of the Times says that official eircles at Salamanca are most optimistic about the development in the international situation, particularly as regards the attitude of Britain, with whom some form of agreement is clearly taking shape. It is realised that there is no possibility as yet of de jure recognition of General Franco on the part of Britain, nor is de facto recognition an accurate description of the arrangement which it is believed will be concluded shortly. It is understood it will merely be a simple agreement lor the exchange of agents and sub-agents between the two Governments, the agents to be armed with most of the usual diplomatic privileges, and the sub-agents exercising normal consular functions. The greatest importance is attached to such a step on the part of Britain, as it is felt that many countries arc looking to Britain for a lead in the matter.

The diplomatic correspondent of the Labour paper the Daily Herald, argues that exchange of agents means that Britain has decided to accord General Franco de facto recognition, and says that the British Government, having decided that General Franco is going to win, has also decided to placate him. The British agent, according to the Daily Herald, will be Sir Robert Hodgson, and General Franco’s agent the Duke of Berwick and Alba. Sir Robert Hodgson, adds the Daily Herald, will be styled an “official agent,” which, it is pointed out, was his title as British representative at Moscow from 19'21 to 1924, waen the Soviet was recognised de facto but not de jure. “The British decision to recognise General Franco is monstrous and disgraceful,” says the Daily Herald. “It is giving him a status he does not possess. It is also playing into the hands of the Governments which have deeply committed themselves in the attempt to destroy Spanish democracy.”

REQUESTS TO PARTIES

POWERS_AGREE REMOVING VOLUNTEERS MATTER OF URGENCY BRITAIN ASKED TO FORWARD PROPOSALS [ British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, Nov. 4. As a result of a plenary session of the Non-Intervention Committee, the chairman, Lord Plymouth, is communicating to the British Government proposals in accordance with the resolution agreed upon at the last meeting of the Sub-Committee for transmission to the two parties in Spain. Before adjourning, the Committee agreed to his asking the British Government to treat the mattei as one of urgency. The Full Committee approved the resolution submitted to it by the Subcommittee, but the Soviet Ambassador, as before, abstained from voting in respect of those parts of the texts relating to belligerent rights. The resolution provides for immediate approach to the Spanish parties to secure their concurrence in proposals, first, for the withdrawal under international supervision of all nonSpanish combatants: second, for the dispatch to each side in Spain of two ?ommissions to estimate the number of volunteers, to concert withdrawal arrangements with the Spanish authorities, and to carry out in a manner determined upon by the NonIntervention Committee the withdrawal from both sides in accordance with the proportions of those serving on each side. Conferring of Belligerent Rights In seeking the parties’ concurrence, the*chairman will inform them that each of the non-intervention Powers will grant them belligerent rights according to the British plan —that is, after withdrawals have made substantial progress and are proceeding satisfactorily. The resolution further provides, srst, that as from a date to be determined by the Non-Intervention Committee shortly before the withdrawal of non-Spanish nationals begins, observation on the Franco-Spanish anrr Portuguese-Spanish frontiers should be restored and strengthened simultaneously with the adoption of measures to strengthen the sea observation scheme; and second, that each of the participating Governments should reaffirm its existing engagements not to permit the dispatch from or transit through or over its

territories or arms or war material covered by the Non-Intervention Agreement or of non-Spanish nationals proposing to proceed for the purpose of taking part in the conflict. Problem of Russian Abstention i The Committee also agreed to-day, pending replies from the Spanish parties, that the Sub-Committee should continue the examination of concrete questions in connection with the proposals, and also the question of the situation arising from the abstention of Russia from the acceptance of that part of them referring to belligerent rights.

PLAN NOT IDEAL

ITALY’S VIEWPOINT CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE LONDON, Nov. 4. Speaking in the Non-Intervention Committee, Count Grandi (Italy) said that the Soviet had attempted a lastminute camouflage refusal with its socalled abstention. It must not be thought that the British plan was regarded as an ideal solution, but the Italian Government had seen in the plan perhaps the last possible attempt to conciliate the different viewpoints. Italy's acceptance was still conditional on the unreserved acceptance of all the members, and therefore the Committee would not be in a position to execute the plan until either the Soviet accepted or the Powers agreed to measures for facing the serious consequences of the Soviet abstention.

MUTUAL DESIRE

BETTER RELATIONS BETWEEN ITALY AND BRITAIN. [ British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, Nov. 4. The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, who was cheered on his return after his indisposition, gave the House of Commons an account of his correspondence with Signor Mussolini, the Italian Prime Minister, in the summer. He said he had informed Signor Mussolini of the readiness of the British Government at any time to begin conversations with Italy with the object of clearing away certain misunderstandings and unfounded suspicions. Signor Mussolini in reply had expressed a sincere wish to restore good relations between the two countries and agreed with the suggestion that conversations should be entered upon to ensure the desired understanding between th n