APPEAL FOR TRUCE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 166, 31 July 1937, Page 5

APPEAL FOR TRUCE

Suggestion Rejected (Received 31, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, July 29. The Foreign. Seeretary, Mr Anthony Eden, jn rejecting the suggestion of an immediate appeal for a' truce in Spain which, he said, would be refused by both parties, assured the House of Commons that His Majesty's Government was constantly watching the situation in order that no opportunity in which a further effort at mediation might usefully be made should be lost. Major Attlee, Leader of the Opposition, drew attention to the seriousness of the foreign situation, and said the possibility of agreement on non-inter-vention was slight. The granting of belligerent rights to General Franco would increase danger to British shippiug. Major Attlee demanded that the Government assemble Parliament before taking such a step. The whole affair, he said, should be referred to the League of Nations. The Far Eastem situation was equally serious. If these things were allowed to continue it would mean the abrogation of all treaties, including the Nine-Power agreement. Aggressive States tended to bank on the unreadiness of the world to act. If allowed to pass without protest it would incite the reckless elements in Italy and Germany to undertake similar adventures. Mr Eden, replying, said it was dangerous to create the impression that whatever happened Britain would not act. The Government was fully alive to the fortification of Ceuta, and resolved to maintain through communications lin the Mediterranean.