SPANISH NEUTRALITY ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 129, 2 June 1937, Page 11

SPANISH NEUTRALITY ISSUE

GAP IN COASTAL CONTROL SYSTEM RESULTS

ITALY AND GERMANY WITHDRAW

(British Official Wireless.)' (Received June 2, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, June 1. An extremely difficult situation in regard to the work of the Non-Intervention Committee has arisen in consequence of yesterday's incidents, which culrMnated in the announcement of the temporary, withdrawal of the German and Italian representatives from participation in the discussions of the committee and the withdrawal'of the German and Italian fleets from their share of supervisory duties. ■ \ _ »' • v The position was reviewed last night by the chairman s subcommittee of the Non-intervention Committee, and it was left to its chairman, Captain Euan Wallace, to call a further meeting when he thinks the time is appropriate. Meanwhile, the need for restraint has been enjoined through diplomatic channels on all the parties concerned. \ The question of measures that would serve as a guarantee against repetition of any such incidents as those which have given rise to the present situation are being actively pursued. A further question that is engaging close attention is that presented by the existence for the time being of a gap in the control scheme. The withdrawal of the German and Italian fleets from their supervisory duties means that the Spanish eastern coast, which was divided into an Italian zone stretching from the French frontier to Cape Oropesa, and a German zone stretching from Cape Oropesa to Cape Gata, some miles east of Almeria, ceases to he watched by patrol vessels, whose duty it was to verify that incoming merchantmen of the non-intervention States were carrying international observing officers and had complied with the other requirements of the non-intervention scheme. It is hoped that this may prove to be only temporary. In the meantime, it is noted with satisfaction that Germany has indicated that she does not intend to dissociate herself from the policy and practice of nonintervention and that her merchant vessels will continue to comply with the requirements of the supervision scheme.