A DIFFICULT TASK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 214, 10 August 1937, Page 6

A DIFFICULT TASK.

The path of the Non-Interven-tion Committee is bestrewn with so many difficulties that a happy issue out of the present situation does not yet present itself. The very sensible proposals put •forward by Great Britain for restoring some measure of control still await the approval of the Powers. At a meeting of the Committee last week, the chairman (Lord Plymouth) said he was able to record some progress towards the elimination of the difficulties facing the adoption of these proposals, but it has not been sufficient to enable the Committee to proceed. The chairman noted an equal desire on the part of all the representatives ‘‘to avoid a breakdown in the Committee’s work.” The upshot of the meeting was a decision to request the chairman and secretary of the Non-Intervention Board to report on the scheme and to make suggestions for restoring and improving the control. The rock on which the parties have so far split is the recognition of belligerent rights in favour of General Franco’s forces. The Soviet steadfastly refuses to grant this concession which the insurgent leader not long ago sought from Britain. It is noteworthy that while the British plan has been accepted in principle considerations of practical policy cannot be written into it. Germany, Italy, and Portugal .have complained of obscurity in Russia’s attitude, and the Soviet blames Germany and Italy for making a needless reservation. How to get rid of the foreign nationals in Spain is proving an issue beyond the means of solution, for Germany and Italy, though they accept the British plan in principle, possibly to save their face, go no further than this. Another serious problem has been injected into the Committee’s deliberations, and it provides a most interesting sidelight on the conscience of several Powers in this matter.. Britain, Italy, France, Germany, and Russia provide 80 per cent, of the Non-Intervention Committee’s revenue of £IOO,OOO a month which provides the salaries of the international observers. But while 11 small Powers have paid their dues, and Belgium has made her payments in advance, only Britain among the great Powers has paid her contributions, so that a considerable sum is in arrears. It was apparent from the tone of the meeting that this announcement was far from pleasing to the Ambassadors, and the mild threat that if the position was not clarified the chairman’s sub-committee might be called together this week to consider the question of finances had a salutary effect, in that the Governments in default have been apprised of the position. This disclosure has led to further scepticism in regard to the whole matter. That will not, however, cause much surprise, for since non-intervention was proposed there has not been an honest endeavour on the part of some Pow r ers to give effect to the decisions made in conference. Had there been candour from the very first, and the will to make nonintervention effective, the Committee to-day would not find _ itself in the position of being without a practical plan and its coffers empty.