MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1938. “CONCERN FELT IN LONDON.”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1938, Page 4

MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1938. “CONCERN FELT IN LONDON.”

ASSURANCES continue to be offered from time to time that the British Foreign 'Office is keeping touch with events in Europe, but in some instances it is difficult to see to what purpose this touch is being kept. In Spain, . for example, General Franco has at last deigned to forward a reply to the British proposals for the withdrawal of foreign combatants from that country, but meantime the insurgents plainly are concentrating on what they hope will be a drive to final victory. Taking account of what has happened in the past, it would be extremely optimistic to believe that the British withdrawal proposals approved by the Non-Intervention Committee will exercise any appreciable influence on the course of events in Spain. It seems much more likely at present that the rebels may capture Barcelona ■' and Valencia while talk on the withdrawal proposals is still being extended. An announcement at the end of last week that Britain had invited a reply from the Italian Foreign Minister (Count Ciano) to allegations current regarding support for General Franco in men and material from Italy was accompanied by news that concern is felt in London regarding these allegations. It is reported by the Spanish Embassy in London, which can hardly have anything to gain from making statements on the subject capable of refutation, that 17,000 men were shipped to Spanish national ports from Italy in June; also aeroplanes and lorries. Whether this ,is true or not, it is’-at least perfectly in keeping with what has gone before. The weight of evidence over an extended period goes to show that Italy and Germany,- though they have taken part in the proceedings of the Non-Intervention Committee, have not at any time allowed these, proceedings to hinder the prosecution of their campaign against the Spanish Government, ’ It 'is by no means clear that even the'adoption and execution of -the withdrawal plan agreed upon by the Non-Intervention Committee, at Britain’s instance, would make any great difference to the position in Spain. The plan, which still hangs fire though it was approved in June I last by the committee, provides, as it was summarised by the London “Times,” that commissions should be sent out to count the numbers . of- foreign combatants on each side, and that when 10,000 volunteers have been -withdrawn from the side found to have the fewer and a proportionately higher number from the other side belligerent rights should be granted. Further, while the heads are being counted the land frontiers should be controlled again. Since there are declared to be many more foreign combatants on the rebel side than on that of the Spanish -Government, the full enforcement of the withdrawal plan apparently would leave the rebels possessed jof a relative advantage as great or greater than that they now possess. Moreover, the granting of belligerent rights would open up new possibilities of which it is safe to assume that Italy and Germany, and their henchmen the Spanish rebels, would make the most. The circumstantial allegations on which Count Ciano is now being invited to comment merely strengthen an impression that Italy and Germany are allowing nothing to hinder the prosecution of their ' campaign in Spain, and certainly have no thought of allowing the proceedings- and proposals of the Non-Inter-vention Committee to do so.