Will Italy Retire from Spain?

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 9, 4 October 1937, Page 5

Will Italy Retire from Spain?

-Fress Assn.

DISCUSSION SOUGHT Non-Intervention May End Otherwise SOVIET IMPATIENT

(By Telegraph -

-Copyright.)

(Eeceived 4, 9.45 a.m.) GENEYA, Oct. 8. Despite rebuff, British and French quarters indicate their intention of continuing negotiations with Italy for the withdrawal of foreign military forces from Spain. A joint Note seeking discussion of the problem was handed to Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, by British and French diplomata on Saturday. It is pointed out by British and French circles at Geneva that. the stipulation still stands that non-intervention may* end if' results are not speedily achieved. • The joint British and Freneli Note to Italy consists of 600 words, and its tono is friendly and courteous. , According to a message from Eome, Count Ciajio intimated that the reply to Britain, and Franee might be delay ed owing to the fact that Signor Mussolini was on holiday after his visit to Germany. It is believed, however, that II Duce will agree to the discussions, 'providing they are secret, but through the norma! diplomatic ehannels, and that Germany is fully in agreement. A message from Paris states: 6' Aecording to the Petit journal, General Franco is willing to accept in principla the withdrawal of foreigners from the Spanish campaign." A British Official Wirelesa message says that the terms of the Note are not disclosed, but that it is known that the Note exprespeg the anxieties of tha two Governments regarding the situation in Spain, and their desire for a tripartite conference to consider means of making non-intervention more effectiv®, particularly by the withdrawal from Spain of non-Spanish combatants, Meanwhilo, at Geneva, Eusgia has cireulated a Note to the Non-interven-tion Committee intimating that, owing to the collapse of the patrol scheme, Eussia will not allow international observers to embark on her merchantmen to Spain. The Note also implies reconsideration of' Eussia 's whole attitude toward non-interyention.