NEUTRAL HARBOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1938, Page 9

NEUTRAL HARBOUR

ONLY PROPOSAL MADE BY FRANCO REFUSAL TO CHANGE AIR POLICY SPIRIT OF AGGRESSION DENIED By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. LONDON.' June 29. The special representative of “The Times” at Burgos says that a semiofficial statement from General Franco's headquarters indicates that no change in the nationalists' air policy can be expected unless Franco’s proposal for a single neutral-controlled harbour, to be set apart from the war zone for commercial shipping of a nonmilitary nature, is carried into effect. This proposal is represented as being the limit of the nationalists’ concessions.

The statement, after emphasising nationalist Spain's desire to preserve and intensify 7 friendly 7 relations with England, adds; “We have not lost our reason and do not do things blindly. We do not bombard republican ports and ships unloading therein out of a spirit of aggression, but for reasons of legitimate self-defence.” SOVIET DOUBTS REGARDING WITHDRAWALS FROM SPAIN INTERVENTIONISTS HELD TO BE INSINCERE LONDON, June 29. The Soviet representative on the Non-intervention Committee. M. Kagan, declared today that the whole demeanour of the interventionist Powers compelled him to doubt whether the evacuation of volunteers from Spain would occur. The Soviet Government believed that money would be spent in vain and was therefore prepared to agree to the most limited amount, namely, one-sixth of the cost of maintaining the commissions going to Spain for the purpose of arranging evacuation. The “Daily Telegraph” says that it is inferred from the attitude of the other Great Powers that they are prepared to bear whatever cost is involved in order to facilitate the submission of the plan for the approval of both sides in Spain. The communique issued after the meeting today was merely formal. ADVANCE BY INSURGENTS BURGOS, June 29. The insurgents launched an attack along a line from Onda to Lucenadelcid today, averaging 21 miles’ advance. They captured Aralla and took much booty.