FEAR OF WAR.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20248, 17 July 1937, Page 7

FEAR OF WAR.

MR. EDEN’S WARNING. NON-INTERVENTION PLAN. AN ERA OF GRAVE PERIL. (Official Wireless.) (Received July 17, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, July 16. Mr Anthony Eden, In the House of Commons last night said that if the British non-inter-vention proposals were accoptec they could provide the means ot making non-intervention effective, of limiting the risk of the con* fllct spreading, and of confining tho Spanish war to the Spaniards. If they failed and non-inter-vention broke down then Europ. would enter upon a new an/ more perilous phase. He continued: “You will have th« unchecked export of arms to both sides. You will have rumours impossible to check of arrivals of large numbers of volunteers. You will go back into an era of grave peril, ic which incidents such as have already marked, and must inevitably mark, a civil war of this kind will have much deeper significance. “We have sought to discharge our task equitably, and everyone will agree that we have done it rapidly. The British Government believes that these proposals are a contribution to Eur opean collaboration, and therefore V peace.” Accepted in Principle.

Meanwhile the Council of Ministers in Paris is reported to have instructed the French Ambassador in London to accept the British proposals in principle.

THE POWERS AGREE. A BASIS FOR DIBCUSSION. PLAN REFERRED TO COMMITTEE. TRIBUTES TO BRITAIN. (Official Wireless.) (Received July 17, 1 p.m..' RUGBY, July 16. The plenary meeting of the Nonintervention Committee unanimously agreed that the proposals advanced by the British Government for closing the gap In the observation scheme and enabling the policy of non-intervention to be continued offered a suitable basis for discussion, and leferred the plan to the sub-committee, which will meet on Tuesday. Lord Plymouth emphasised that the essentially compromise proposals contained in the plan were intended to provide a workable solution acceptable, if not wholly satisfactory, to all parties. As unity of action at sea was no longer possible, it was essential for the Governments with naval responsibilities to seek the best means of avoiding risks of ships becoming Involved in incidents. Lord Plymouth added that In the view of the British Government the precise conditions In which the limited recognition of belligerent rights would operate in practice should be discussed forthwith, and it trusted that co-operation would enable satisfactory detailed arrangements. Attitude of the Powers. Members of the committee paid a tribute to the work of the British Government in producing a scheme. The German and Italian representatives, after complimenting the British Government, eald they were prepared to recognise the plan as a basis for discussion, agreeing that speedy action was essential. M. Corbin emphasised the importance attached by France to the interdependence of the witfidrawal of volunteers and the granting of belligerent rights. The Soviet representative accepted the plan as a basis for discussion and reserved the right to offer amendments. The Portuguese Ambassador indicated that his Government was willing to reinstate observers on its frontier when a similar course was taken on the Pyrenees. Smooth Passage Not Guaranteed. The diplomatic correspondent of lha Australian Associated Press Agency understands that although British circles are Inclined to he optimistic over the non-intervention proposals the fact that all readily agreed does not necessarily indicate a smooth passage. Lord Plymouth said that extended discussions r#\t week were frowned on. but France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Norway and others indicated that a detailed discussion was necessary for certain aspects. It Is regarded as likely that unless some breakdown occurs the talks will drag on for a long period. LABOUR PARTY'B ATTITUDE. STRONGER ATTITUDE WANTED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, July 15. In the House of Commons to-day. the Liberal Leader. Sir Archibald Sinclair, said it was his opinion that the Government ought to take a stronger line regarding the nations which subscribed to the non-interven-tion agreement. He urged that the British plan be given a trial, but said that nevertheless there must not be a compromise regarding the withdrawal of volunteers. Nobody must be allowed to delve a wedge between Britain and France. Mr Winston Churchill emphasised

the Importance of tlie* fact that if the non-intervention conference disputed had gone to a division of the '2l Powers would have followed Britain and France. This added tremendously to British prestige. After further speeches th« motion