FULL PATROL SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 136, 10 June 1937, Page 10

FULL PATROL SCHEME

SPANISH WATERS*

DISCUSSIONS SOON

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received June 10, 1 p.m.)

RUGBY, June ' 9,

The French Government's reply in writing to the British proposals regarding guarantees, on the basis of which German and Italian ships might resume patrol work under the Nonintervention Scheme, has now been received in London, and confirms the acceptance of these proposals already given verbally. It is felt that there is now substantial agreement in principle between all the Powers concerned, and an optimistic view is taken of a favourable outcome of the more detailed discussions which are expected to open in London shortly between the French, German, and Italian Ambassadors and the Foreign Office.

Questioned in the House of Commons on the negotiations following the Deutschland incident, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, said that exchanges of views which were taking place with the full knowledge and approval of the Non-intervention Committee between the British, French, German, and Italian Governments were concerned with guarantees which might be obtained from the two parties in the Spanish conflict to enable the work of the naval patrol which has been delegated to these four Governments to be restored to full operation, thus permitting the Committee to resume its work. - Should any proposals be made in the course of this exchange of views ,which would involve modification of the scheme of observation itself, they would, so far as his Majesty's Government was concerned,* be a matter for consideration by the Committee.

Asked in a supplementary question to give a definite pledge that in no circumstances would the British Government consent to retaliatory action, Mr. Eden replied: "We accept, and always have 'accepted, the right of self-defence, but 'we have' never subscribed to the right of retaliation."