Britain's Task

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 149, 12 July 1937, Page 5

Britain's Task

-Press Assn.-

SOLVING SPANISH DEADLOCK Preservation of NonIntervention PLANS UNDER REVIEW

(By Telesraph-

— Copyright.X

(Received 12, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, July 11. The British Foreign Office has begun its search for a solution to the nonintervention deadlock. The most likely outcome is believed to be the placing o£ neutral observers at Spanish ports but this requires the consent of the Spaniards which has hitherto been refused, It is expected that Herr Hitler will determine "the Gennan attitud© at a week-end discussion with his Mixiisters. A Rome message states that the official Stefani Agency txlts at the miscairiage of non-intervention and the idea of twenty states lixiing up against the German-Italian front. ' _ A supplementary British Official Wireless message states that although tension has been relieved as a result of yesterday's decision by the^ NonIntervention Oomxnittee to invite tha British Govexrnment to attempt to break the deadlock which is holding-up the Spanish control scheme, it would be rash to assume that matters will easily resolve themselves merely because concord has been found on the next mode of procedure. On the contrary, it is recognised that a week-end of intensive labour lies before the Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, and his advisers. They have. been left with full discretion to make the necessary soundings in whatever way they think best and they are already addressing themselves with the utmost urgency to their task in the hope of being able to, reporir results to the full committee at its nest meeting early next week. In the British view, either the gap in the sea observation scheme must retmain open or someone must be found to fill it. The granting of belligerent rights, which would unfairly assist one side, cannot, ju the British view, be regarded as a substituto for the naval control scheme. On the other hand, the French Government's determination to withdraw facilities to observera in the Pyrenees unless the gap is filled within the next day or two is regarded here as eminently reasonable. It is generally recognised that, if the British Government can stave over the internatjonal breach over Spain, they will have made a major contribution to the preservation of peace in E'urope.