A MORE DETERMINED STAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 143, 5 July 1937, Page 4

A MORE DETERMINED STAND.

t As was expected when -writing on the subject on Saturday last, later in the day sorue word came through outlining Italy and Germany's proposals for an alternative to those for continuing the naval patrol ivhich had been put frrward by Great Britain and Erance, but which the former two countries had rejectecl. Possibly the first thing" to note about the suggestions thtis now advanced is that they were issued from the Italian Embassy in London and took the form of a joint statement. In this we may readily see an intent to impress the other conntries concerned and the world at large with the complete unity of purpose which inspires the two Governments. There was perhaps some need for this, for doubts have been expressed as to whether, despite all seemingly friendly conferences, the relations between Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini are really as cordial as they would wish to make them appear. In fact, there are those who predict that their eventual downfall, when it comes, will Tesult mainly from some quarrel arising out of their; irreconcilable ambitions and aspirations* Als for the proposals they put forward, they rest upon the basis of a general recognition of the two Spanish factions as if they were independent States at war with one another, so bringing into operation the international rules that in such case govern the conduct of neutral countries. Germany and Italy still maintain their profession of being desirous to contlnue the principle of non-intervention, but, with a state of belligerency between the two Spanish Governments thus recognised and no patrol coritinued, the door would really be thrown wide open for intervention on one side or the other, in the way of permitting volunteer reinforcements in both men and munitions from any source ready to supply them. The only checks on this that would remain would be, on the one hand, effective restraining action on the part of the j Governments of neutral countries and, on the other, an effective blockade by one or other- of the- Spanish factions. Past -* experience has shown that neither Germany nor Italy is likely to be over particular in imposing restrictions upon such of their nationals, whether prompted by politieal sympathy or by hope of gain, as might be ready to lend assistance to the side they openly favour. Indeed, everythjng points to facilities for this being afforded* As for a blockade* that would be possible of setting up only by the same side, for practically the whole Spanish Na.vy, such as it is, has ranged itself under the Franco hanner. It will thus be seen that acceptance of the Italo-German proposals would play very directly into the hands of General Franco and the professedly neutral countries sympathising with him and desirous of seeing him achieve complete success and control of the country, with power to reward his outside friends with territorial concessions, which in Italy's case might be of supreme assistance in establishing the naval domination of the Mediterranean that is Signor Mussolini's chief ambition. It is in this relation that we find the British Foreign Minister declaring outright that Great Britain 's main interest consists in the maintenance of Spain's territorial integrity." Both Great Britain and France, more especially the former, are vitally concerned in seeing that the Mediterranean should be kept open as a highway for their own and the world 's commerce, so there need be no doubt as ot their being at one in preventing it falling under virtual control by the navy which Signor Mussolini. is so busy building up. In any event, they have shown no hesitation in rejecting the ItaloGerman proposalsGreat Britain, France, Germany and Italy, and occasion* ally Russia, have been kej)t so much in the forefront of the news regarding non-intervention in Spain that most of us will have come to think of them as being the only parties to the international agreement on the subject. To-day's cables, however, recall to us that there are a score of other European nation^ signatories to it. All these signatories have now been called upon to express their opinion upon the relative merits of the Anglo-Freneh and the Italo-German proposals. By the great majority a quick response has already been given in favonr of the former, and this can scarcely but' have some influence at both Berlin and Rome. It also provides some hopeful indication that the Continental nations are beginning to get rather weary of being kept in a state of continual turmoil and apprehension, not to say trepidation, as to what the ; two Fascist dictators may choose to do next* It may therefore be taken that most of them are really anxious to see their "bluff eaJled."