WAR IN SPAIN

Evening Star, Issue 22465, 9 October 1936, Page 9

WAR IN SPAIN

DRASTIC MOVE BY RUSSIA THREATENS TO WITHDRAW FROM NON-INTERVENTION PACT ITALY, GERMANY, AND PORTUGAL ACCUSED OF HELPING REBELS * Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 8. A Russian Note threatening to withdraw from the Spanish non-intervention pact if immediate measures are not taken to prevent its violation was delivered by M. Kagan, the Soviet Charge D’Affaires in London, to the London Committee, which will consider it tomorrow. The Note specifically accuses Italy, Germany, and Portugal of supplying war material to the insurgents, thereby making the non-intervention agreemen. practically non-existent. It adds: “ The Soviet Government can in no circumstances agree to transform the non-in-tervention agreement into a screen for sheltering military aid to the insurgents by other parties to the agreement against the lawful Spanish Government. The Soviet Government, therefore, is compelled to declare that if violation of the agreement is not immediately discontinued it will consider itself released from all obligations under it.” The ‘ News-Chronicle ’ says that Russia’s move is more drastic than was expected. The German, Italian, and Portuguese representatives on the London Committee will prohabb- demand time to communicate with their Governments, but it is stated that the Soviet will not tolerate delaying tactics. It is even asserted that she may follow up the decision without delay by coming out openly in support of the Madrid Government. ITALY’S REACTION "RUSSIAN MOVE UNJUSTIFIABLE ” LONDON, October 8. The Foreign Office has received notification of the Russian attitude regarding the Non-intervention Committee. A Rome message states that the Soviet’s move is described as unjustifiable as far as Italy is concerned, as there has been no violation since the embargo decree. It is suggested that the Soviet is beginning to doubt the success of the Red cause on whicli it counted. SPECULATION AROUSED INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE'S POLICY (Brilish Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 8. (Received, October 9, at noon.) Some speculation has been aroused by the terms of the Russian comment on tho alleged supply of arms to the Spanish insurgents by Germany, Italy, and Portugal. In view of the fact that so long ago as September 21 the International Committee agreed upon the procedure to be followed in respect of alleged breaches of the agreement and affirmed the principle that would be the duty of tho committee to examine such allegations with a view to ascertaining the facts, the complaints had to be submitted by the Government of the party to tho agreement which had convinced itself that they were founded on evidence of sufficient weight. The Russian Government, if it is satisfied itself of the trustworthiness of the complaints it is now sponsoring, is therefore acting in full accord with the intention of the committee, but among those who have most closely followed the International Committee’s work, it is recalled that at tho first meeting it was agreed that its proceedings should be treated as strictly confidential, subject to the issue of the agreed communique at the conclusion of each meeting. BATTLE FDR CAPITAL MAY LAST A MONTH LONDON, October 7. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Talavera correspondent says: “General Franco, who has six armies converging on Madrid, intends to leave open one way of escape from the capital to Valencia. Most of the insurgent officers have families in Madrid; therefore they wish to spare it if possible. General Franco’s forces now total 150,000, compared with the Government’s 80,000, but the latter occupy a strong defensive position, and are well supplied with artillery and ammunition. Tho battle for the capital may last a month.” THRUST FACILITATED SEVERAL TOWNS FALL TO REBELS LONDON, October 7. Tho insurgents’ ''-rust towards Madrid was facilitated by the capture of Fuensalida, Portillo, and Santa Cruz de Rctamar. The struggle for tho lastnamed place was very fierce, and was preceded by intensive aerial action. DIFFICULT SITUATION CREATED LONDON, October S. (Received October 9, at 11 a.m.) Major Attlee and Mr A. Greenwood arrived in London from Edinburgh, and had a 45 minutes’ interview with Mr

Neville Chamberlain, presenting evidence concerning tho alleged supply of munitions to the Spanish insurgents from Germany, Italy, and Portugal. They will hasten their return to Edinburgh to report to the Labour Executive, resulting in the possibility of an emergency resolution being submitted to-morrow to tho conference, whicli at present is pledged to support non-inter-vention.

The Treasury issued the following statement:—“Mr Chamberlain assured Major Attlee and Mr Greenwood that the British representatives on tho Nonintervention Committee were fully conscious of the dangers which would be incurred if the situation was not clarified without delay.” REPERCUSSIONS IN EUROPE REJOICINGS IN MADRID LONDON, October 8. (Received October 9, at 11 a.m.) The Russian Note lias intensified European difficulties. Italian and German quarters interpret it as an indication that Moscow fears that the Spanish Government is in a precarious situation, and is seeking an excuse to assist it. Official circles in Berlin regard the Note as confirming the German view that the Soviet aims at provoking a European conflict in order to Bolshevise Europe. Paris opinion is to tho effect that it must increase tension, and may endanger M. Blum’s Government owing to the possibility of splitting the Popular Front. Madrid gleefully received the news, declaring that most of the warplanes the insurgents used in the capture of Santa Cruz and Deretaraa were German, having swastikas on the wings. INSURGENTS PRESSING UN APPROACHING MADRID FROM THREE SIDES LONDON, October 8. (Received October 9, at 1 p.m.) Though there are no spectacular movements at present, the insurgents are pressing on strategically with a view to a final onslaught on Madrid. Tho insurgents claim to he 25 miles from Madrid on the northern front, 35 on the western front, and 34 on the southern front. The rebels to-day captured Escalona, on the Avila-Maqueda road, and claim to have inflicted heavy casualties. Another important development is the abandonment by tbe Government forces of Navalperal during the night, owing to the food supplies being exhausted and lack of ammunition. Tho insurgents claim to be within six miles of Balboa, and allege that 150 hostages were shot, despite the presence of officials of the International Red Cross. Oviedo still holds out, hut Madrid claims that 60 of the diminished garrison have already surrendered. AUCKLAND TRADE UNIONS SYMPATHY WITH LOYALISTS [Pee United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, October 8. Active interest in the Spanish civil war is being taken by a number of Auckland trades unions, and in the last few days several have decided either to send gifts of money to the Government Party or to urge the New Zealand Government to intervene with Great Britain on behalf of the loyalists. Donations are being forwarded through the New Zealand Council Against War and Fascism It was stated by a trades union secretary that the unions regarded the Spanish Government as a Labour Government, and were prepared to give it every support against the Fascist forces seeking to overcome it.