SPANISH PATROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 179, 30 June 1937, Page 9

SPANISH PATROL

NEUTRAL OBSERVERS. COMMITTEE’S STATEMENT. . DISCUSSION DEFERRED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received June 50, 11.55 a.m. RUGBY, June 29. The scheme under which the British and French Governments have agreed to assume responsibilities tor the operation of the plan with respect of LUO wlioic of tuo coasts of bpaui and have further agreed m principle to die appointment of neutral observers stationed on patrol ships, , was submitted to the Non-Intervention sub-com-mittee. An official statement issued at the close of the meeting stated: “Belgium, A/Zeenosiovakia, Sweden and the Soviet representatives welcome the Anglo-French proposals on behalf oi their Governments. 4he German' and Italian representatives strongly objected in principle to any proposal not based on the necessary equilibrium so as to ensure absolute impartiality ot control. They further indicated that their Governments had decided to adviso their nationals at present employed as observer officers under the observation scheme to resign their appointments. “At the conclusion of the discussion all the representatives undertook to refer the proposals to their Governments with a request for immediate instructions. “The plan for the withdrawal from Spain ot non-Spanish nationals engaged in the conflict was considered. The French representative suggested as a start that arrangements be made for the immediate withdrawal of all nonSpanish prisoners of war or wounded. Further discussion was deferred until July 2.” Jt is thought in London that the offer to agree in principle to the appointment of neutral observers on the patrol ships should give sufficient guarantee of strict impartiality if the Anglo-French control scheme is adopted. As to land observation, the decrees which the Portuguese Government have issued regarding the passage of men and materials to Spain are still in force, but Portugal desires that the gap in the control scheme caused by the German and Italian withdrawal should be filled as soon as possible. The Italian representative at the Non-Intervention Committee referred to the recent official report issued by the Spanish Embassy in London “containing allegations about the recent landing of Italian soldiers in Spain.” He added: “I wish to declare that no single Italian volunteer has left my country since the ban was agreed upon by this committee.”