HOPE OF SETTLEMENT

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 449, 3 June 1937, Page 5

HOPE OF SETTLEMENT

APPEALS TO THE PARTIES London, June 2. Though Signor Mussolini has returned to Rome, though 14 Italian warships are assembled tat Naples to •wait developments, though II Duce Is agreeable to the co-ordination of Italian land German operations, though Herr Hitler is reinforcing his fleet, the Sponith waters situation nevertheless* is eased, at least superficially, Germany confessing contentment for the time being with her

retaliation for the bombing of the Deutschland, the death of » hoee 26th victim is now reported. There is a general feeling tin. t por-

tentous matters iare engaging the attention of the British Cabinet, though nothing is disclosed regarding the matter.

Two Royal Air Force flving-boats are taking four army nurses from Calshot to the military hospital at Gibraltar to (assist in nursing the Deutschland victiujE. An Italian naval review arranged for June 6 in honour of Marshal Von Blomberg, German Defence Minister, for which 14 warships have already assembled near Naples, has been postponed owing to the Spanish situation. The German Admiralty announces that the Deutschland will remain in Spanish waters at th e request of the crew. , Temporary Withdrawal. An extremely difficult situation with regard to the work of the Non-Inter-vention Committee has arisen in consequence of yesterday’s-' incidents, which culminated In the temporary withdrawal of the German and Italian representatives. The position was reviewed by the chairman's sub-com-mittee and it wlas left to the chairman, Mr D. Euan Wallace, to call a further meeting when he thinks the time appropriate. The question of measures that will serve as a guarantee lagainst a Tepe, tition of any such incidents is being actively pursued.

A further question that is engaging close attention is that presented by the existence of a gap in the control scheme. The withdrawal of the German and Italian fleets means that the Spanish eastern coast ceases to be watched. It is hoped that this may prove to be onlj- temporary. In the ,meantim e it is noted with satisfaction that Germany has indicated that she does not intend to dissociate herself from the policty and practice of non-intervention, and her merchant vessels will continue l to comply with the requirements of the supervision scheme. Britain’s Protest. The British charge d’affaires at Valencia has been instructed to lodge a protest to .the Spanish Government with regard to an air attack on May 28 when bombs fell near the British destroyer Hardy. The satisfaction of the British Government has been conveyed to'the Spanish Government at its readiness to indicate a safety zone off Palma and the hope bias been expressed that there will be no repetition of recent incidents. The Foreign Secretary again referred in the House of Commons to ths- situation arising from the bombing of the Deutschland. He- expressed regret at the withdrawal of the German and Italian navlal patrols from the Spanish coast. Mr Eden gave an assurance that the British Government would continue to do its utmost to prevent any aggravation of the present situation. It was in constant touch with the other Governments on the subject with a view to considering what steps could most usefully be taken to restore the situation.